Hagel strongly committed to India-US strategic partnership: Pentagon

[Capt.Popeye]

Could not agree more with regard to Iran --- and it's not just Afghanistan - US just needs to make up with Iran

Iran can have a major role in helping to stabilise Afghanistan post draw-down (not withdrawal ). The USA has overlooked this matter consistently. Or it had become a hostage to the (stupidly) fraught US-Iran relationship. Unfortunately (IMO) the USA has a poor sense of History. I'll credit the Russians higher on this count.
Anyway; even Russia will be drawn back into Afghan affairs; since they have interests there. Now let us watch out for that.

 

[KS]

Anyway; even Russia will be drawn back into Afghan affairs; since they have interests there. Now let us watch out for that.

Actually India has nothing to loose in Afghanistan. Its either we go back to status quo ante bellum or we gain foothold in Afghanistan.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

@Capt.Popeye

An interesting article connected(loosely) to the U.S.-Iran relationship

Any Solution to Syria?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/opinion/sunday/friedman-any-solution-to-syria.html

@Bang Galore:
Interesting piece by Friedman there. I am not surprised that Milton Friedman as well as Robert Kaplan have woken up to the importance of Iran in the region. And if they assign importance to Iran solely as a Shia counter to Sunni influences, they will be foolish. But then as I say; Americans scarcely have a sense of history.
Iran has a long-standing position in the region which has been undermined by the "Ayatollah Experiment". But one can't undo history; and in any case that backlash was to be expected given the "Pahlavi Chapter" in Iranian History.
In contrast the Saudis are simply 'johnny-come-latelies' who have ridden on Oil and Wealth to importance. It might surprise Americans; but the Iranians have Democratic Credentials built into their DNA. Can't say the same about their conterparts across the Khaleej.

 

[haviZsultan]

He may have to tow the line now that he is the defence secretary.

 

[EXPERIMENT]

Interesting that none of the statements out of the pentagon retract the Defense Secretary statement about Indian activities with regard to creating problems for Pakistan from Afghanistan.

Not that interesting, It does not serve any governments diplomacy to retract statements. The very most that would be done is spin. In that regard India has little if not close to nil influence in what the Pakistani general public blames for the ongoing issues in Baluchistan. In fact RAW shakes its head at both our nations. Indian policy has focused on the upward positioning of India not the degrading of Pakistan. The fact is that Pakistan is almost entirely to be blamed for its own predicament. RAW policy is more focused beyond the subcontinent then most here care to believe.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

He may have to tow the line now that he is the defence secretary.

In some ways; he'll have to "toe the line".
While in others; he'll have to "lay down the line".
But let us see what happens going forward.
Whether he says it again or the Administration also says it?
Else it will remain just a statement by a private citizen and with as little value attached to it.

 

[Shinigami]

relevant to topic- India's Afghan role

Pul - Relations with India, 2010 - YouTube

 

[Capt.Popeye]

@Shinigami;
An interesting video. Thanks for posting it.

Most all; I cannot miss the reference to Chahbahar in the course of the conversation. It clearly enunciates the American view on Chahbahar (if not the Official view-but close enough ). Actually, taking on further from my posts earlier in this thread; the USA will recognise (and consequently act on) operationalising the Chahbahar route to Afghanistan in order to stabilise Afghanistan- which by the way is the sole intention of all future International efforts in Afghanistan.

To allow full operationalisation of Chahbahar, does not even require USA to vastly improve relations with Iran. It can happen very much even with the present atmospherics of US-Iran relations. India just has to do all the work with Iran. That clearly explains why India has very carefully husbanded its relations with Iran. Which (IMO) has the tacit understanding and approval of the USA. Sanction or no sanctions!

So again going back to some of my responses to @muse's posts earlier; I will re-iterate my prognosis: USA will seek a connect with Iran (because it is simply the way to go). In the interim period, other countries (India and Russia for instance) will be taken on board into the process.
Most of all; I repeat my assertion that Afghanistan has ceased to be a "Two-Nation or Tri-Nation" matter. More players will be involved than hitherto.

Some other matters have also caught my attention in this above-captioned discussion, but more on that maybe later.
@Bang Galore, @muse- your views?

 

[Sanjay_]

Its dangerous to be enemy of United States, its fatal to be their ally.

 

[Taygibay]

"so just a blog,.just ignore it"

I am sorry to come back to this posted by Haider on the previous and first page but for anyone interested in US politics, these think tanks are essential. They have become a permanent fixture of the political landscape over there since the Rand was created. Heritage F. and others have offices in and around the Congress building to warrant access to Representatives and Senators literally as they walk from their office to the Chambers. They hand them papers intentionally shortened to 3 pages or less so that they can be read before session. Do not discount their influence!

More on topic, I am a bit skeptical of a possible warming up of relations as regard Iran. The Ayatollahs' regime shows no sign of really turning to the outside as evidenced by the way they try to fool their own citizens and keep control of civilian society.
At the same time, the seemingly stone hard US -Israel ties make it virtually impossible for America to mollify its stance. To give an example, I heard less than a week ago ( & posted a 1-sentence rebuttal within a post on my blog ) a US Senator attacking Pakistan again for its duplicity. Sadly, most US politicians ( somewhat worse on the Right's side ) view the world through Star-Spangled glasses even today. I.E. If a problem arises; blame : France for W's gang, Pakistan for the present administration or China for the GOP during last elections.
Otherwise said, it is not IMHonestO so much a lack of historical knowledge as much as a biased view of that history itself.

Pakistan should somewhat disregard Hagel for now and keep its path. Face the internal problems of terrorism while trying to lessen the military influence on government and society; rely on Gulf/China ties but not so much as to jeopardize national future and better the relation with India. I personally believe that you are doing a good job at that already. It's just that the said path is narrow, steep and tortuous.

Good day all, Tay.

 

[Bang Galore]

@Shinigami;
An interesting video. Thanks for posting it.

Most all; I cannot miss the reference to Chahbahar in the course of the conversation. It clearly enunciates the American view on Chahbahar (if not the Official view-but close enough ). Actually, taking on further from my posts earlier in this thread; the USA will recognise (and consequently act on) operationalising the Chahbahar route to Afghanistan in order to stabilise Afghanistan- which by the way is the sole intention of all future International efforts in Afghanistan.

To allow full operationalisation of Chahbahar, does not even require USA to vastly improve relations with Iran. It can happen very much even with the present atmospherics of US-Iran relations. India just has to do all the work with Iran. That clearly explains why India has very carefully husbanded its relations with Iran. Which (IMO) has the tacit understanding and approval of the USA. Sanction or no sanctions!

So again going back to some of my responses to @muse's posts earlier; I will re-iterate my prognosis: USA will seek a connect with Iran (because it is simply the way to go). In the interim period, other countries (India and Russia for instance) will be taken on board into the process.
Most of all; I repeat my assertion that Afghanistan has ceased to be a "Two-Nation or Tri-Nation" matter. More players will be involved than hitherto.

Some other matters have also caught my attention in this above-captioned discussion, but more on that maybe later.
@Bang Galore, @muse- your views?

The part that interested me most was when one of the participants asked whether Pakistan realised what might happen with Indian involvement if the Taliban were to become very active. That is something that few Pakistanis seem to understand. India is not just going to turn over & play dead. Pakistan , with its restive borders & insurgencies now dime a dozen simply cannot behave like it is 1990's anymore. Not only is India's staying power stronger now, there are three other powerful countries (Iran, Russia & U.S.) all sharing the same goals.There are plenty of fissures to exploit within Pakistan if need be. If Pakistan think they have a hard time now, they are going to have a rude awekening soon.