Blinken says US will assess Pakistan ties over Afghanistan's future

[Meengla]

the most important lines IMHO.

Similar to Qatar, they need help to keep the Taliban in check, to save face at home. The cooperation in counter-terrorism is noted, but just like the Qataris trying to convince the Talibs to have a more inclusive government, they want Pakistan to not recognize them until they at least give some power to the other parts of society in Afghanistan. This US administration needs a final peace it can live with and can be seen to be working with. In this regard, Pakistan would be savvy if it can convince the Talibs to open up minstries to women and more minorities. Even the west knows that it is a Taliban government, but it needs people it can be seen to be working with.

Agreed.
Blinken has to say some nasty things about Pakistan because for the last many years, from Obama through the Trump Presidency, Pakistan has been demonized; that's to appear credible/balanced to the Congress. But compared with those years' criticism of Pakistan, there is now an eerie, measured quiet about Pakistan in the Biden admin. It's like we can't give Pakistan credit for the immense role Pakistan played in the American exit from Afghanistan and we can't blame Pakistan for Afghanistan like we used to. But I digress.

I think it is still too early to say what's in American mind in the post Afghanistan exit era. And I had indicated some strategic directions America could take now, in another thread that I had opened last night; that thread is wrongly moved to the 'Americas' forum. It should be at least in the 'World Affairs' forum because of global implications. Oh well.

PS. A Pakistani You Tube blogger Abdul Qadir who seems to know a few things said that Pakistan has firmly decided to tell America that don't even bother coming to us to talk if you expect 'Do More'. He Pakistan will not join any 'block' of any kind. The only thing non-negotiable in international relations for Pakistan is that ties with China will not be compromised.

 

[arjunk]

All I can say here, without raising the ire of na maloom afraad, is that Pakistan may have overplayed its hand and importance one too many times. Let us see how things play out in the future for both sides.

Pakistan is the US's only option when it comes to Afghanistan, unless they want to engage with Iran.

 

[HAIDER]

Lol@Blinken the most lame Secretary of State ever.
No problem, it’s them who needs an avenue in, and no Qatar don’t cut it.

Today facing senate hearing committee on Afghanistan evac . grilling will start at noon

 

[The Eagle]

@The Eagle i mean can any country bring this old issue and will FATF accept as it is not in agenda of FATF.

I mean will it impact Pakistan performance, which has done everything.

YOu didn't get the idea from previous posts. Whether new or an old, when there is a country like Pakistan at receiving end; doesn't matter the age of an issue. The so called peddled propaganda against Pakistan is almost referred to as an impact in FATF. Actually, the lack of Deep Pockets with us, is what takes too long to clarify things like every other day.

 

[Falconless]

Today facing senate hearing committee on Afghanistan evac . grilling will start at noon

Please share a link here once it happens, thanks!

 

[Goenitz]

Pakistan is the US's only option when it comes to Afghanistan, unless they want to engage with Iran.

Why the fly is not alive? Panjshir was late to be captured?

 

[Hareeb]

Sanctions' coming.

 

[HAIDER]

Please share a link here once it happens, thanks!

Will start in an hour .. i think VA time already started .

Examining the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Meeting for Full Committee on September 14, 2021 at 6:00 AM For this hearing, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will follow guidelines developed...

www.foreign.senate.gov

 

[VCheng]

Pakistan is the US's only option when it comes to Afghanistan, unless they want to engage with Iran.

That assumption may or may not hold true any longer.

 

[HAIDER]

here is link.... started ...

Examining the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Meeting for Full Committee on September 14, 2021 at 6:00 AM For this hearing, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will follow guidelines developed...

www.foreign.senate.gov

 

[VCheng]

It's like we can't give Pakistan credit for the immense role Pakistan played in the American exit from Afghanistan and we can't blame Pakistan for Afghanistan like we used to.

Or may be Pakistan was trying to re-create some goodwill?

 

[arjunk]

Why the fly is not alive? Panjshir was late to be captured?

it came back to life but as you can see in this post it died after having to endure indian "journalism"

I am not going to go into the vivid details, but the image below will suffice for now.
Sucking information the Indian way.
View attachment 776042

now the fly will only come back to life if there's a shaheen-iii or ababeel test as per original terms and conditions

 

[Meengla]

Or may be Pakistan was trying to re-create some goodwill?

Yes. Pakistan knows the consequences to the Pakistani economy in case of even unilateral sanctions. It's a bitter reality which Pakistani planners are VERY much aware of.

Related to this topic: I think it is quite possible that Europeans, led by Germans, would now engage much more with Pakistan and Afghanistan, with or without the American backing. It maybe a hard-sale in America to publicly appear cozy to Pakistan but not as much to Europeans, especially when a stable Afghanistan makes for less refugees fleeing to Europe. Europeans are perhaps slowly realizing the costs of their involvement in America-led wars in north Africa, the Middle East and Asia... Europe doesn't have the blessings of two giant oceans and only two friendly/peaceful land neighbors insulating them.

 

[arjunk]

That assumption may or may not hold true any longer.

Central Asian countries are landlocked and all of them combined hold less influence (whether it be economic or military) than Pakistan. To access them you need to go through China and Russia. Iran is unlikely to reach a level of cooperation with the US outside of "please don't sanction us we promise we won't blow up Israel" within the next decades. Even if China is willing to cooperate, their border with Afghanistan is tiny and covered in snow for most of the year if I recall correctly.

 

[VCheng]

Yes. Pakistan knows the consequences to the Pakistani economy in case of even unilateral sanctions. It's a bitter reality which Pakistani planners are VERY much aware of.

Pakistani planning has a well-known history and tendency to be a day late and a dollar short. Let us see how things proceed over the next few months, at least.

Central Asian countries are landlocked and all of them combined hold less influence (whether it be economic or military) than Pakistan. To access them you need to go through China and Russia. Iran is unlikely to reach a level of cooperation with the US outside of "please don't sanction us we promise we won't blow up Israel" within the next decades. Even if China is willing to cooperate, their border with Afghanistan is tiny and covered in snow for most of the year if I recall correctly.

Ah yes, Pakistan holds a key geostrategic position as the crossroads of the world. I know, I know.