Pakistan should finally move beyond its problems ,Doesn't meant it shouldn't act or forget.
Charity begins at home.
Militarily, its foolish to overlook the problem of terrorism created, financed and thoroughly weaponized by external factors disturbing peace in Pakistan. New security forces are being raised to protect the region especially CPEC and more troops will be required as time passes. The best minds available to the Military are engrossed in planning for protecting LOC/IB Indian and Afghanistan , protecting cities of Pakistan and protecting interests of Pakistan.
The Army is deployed on three fronts. There is an escalation on Pakistani borders along the LOC. A continuing war on Terrorism inside Pakistan which not includes FATA region but Durand line as well as all cities of Pakistan. lastly, providing security for CPEC.
Airforce is engaged on two fronts. Its standing ready on the LOC escalation and its taking part in strikes on militants.
The Navy has a small coast line to protect but the burden has increased due to opening of Gawadar Port. The focus is now being shared from Eastern front of the sea towards the Western front.
We know that problems like poverty aren't going anywhere when our leaders take around Gigantic Mercedes and protocol,Its time we should make laws to Improve this system.
A poor nation led by one of its wealthiest?
This is the job of the Elected Government. Citizens elect governments. This directly related with the Pakistani people. whether we like it or not, you and I elected NS. Thats how the system works.
On a larger scale we know that Pakistan doesn't anywhere near holds the International importance and recognition as it used to,During the cold war and Iron curtain Pakistan was the only state that took hold of communist foray by aligning itself with the Western superpowers along with that the fall of East Pakistan also happened due to the very reasons
Yes our Government made their own mistakes which contributed to the fall of East Pakistan.
Things have started to change recently. The international importance is coming to Pakistan as the interests of European countries as well as Russian and the Muslim countries like Turkey and Iran have started to rise in CPEC Project.
China is a time tested ally where as Russia has shown a tilt towards Pakistan recently. By playing its cards correctly, pakistan should also align with Germany, France, UK and Italy in trade, commerce and technology and pave way for investments to be made inside Pakistan.
Pakistan needs to make itself heard on the World stage and stop pretending like Nothing,We've the backing of Iran(future superpower and Important regional player)Turkey and China.
I think the Future Super power is China, well some would say it is currently also. I would not dis-agree. Russia is also an Ex-super power and Putin is pushing it towards centre stage again. Turkey is already backing backing Pakistan along with China.
Iran as future super power, i am sceptical and doubt it. However, its Pakistan's neighbour and shares a border. Iran has a massive indigenous defence industry and that should interest Pakistan. Joint ventures should also be welcomed.
Most Secular Pakistanis hold KSA to a Disregard and blame them for Wahaabi Mullana's,Whatever that is should be forgotten as NAP is working on this.
KSA holds outstanding significance to all muslim's around the world,It is a country with own self importance,Given the fact we already would act if its threatened with aggression,Why shouldn't we take the Saudis under our Nuclear umbrella?
The Saudis would help us in our Future Nuclear ambitions and that could cover a range of developments.
KSA has helped Pakistan and damaged it too. Pakistan already provides a Military umbrella by stationing a brigade sized strength in KSA. There is a training exchange program that runs in all three arms of Armed forces of both countries. In return, Pakistan can get oil and lots of it in a war with India.
Question here is, what are the chances of a nuclear strike on KSA and by whom? Israel?
I think KSA fears and loathes Iran more than Israel.
So should Pakistan provide a nuclear umbrella to KSA against Iran?
Palestine:
We Already know the problems with Palestine,Moving our nukes into Jordan to provide Palestine a umbrella would be a win/win situation for everybody.
First step should be to hold talks with the Israelite,Convince them that we're here to solve this problem,Just get them in the game,Tell them we don't want to talk about how you made Palestine your home with all the Askenzai and Oranzai whatever jews,We just want peace for Palestinian people,Tell them that a huge chunk of radicalized terrorist groups exist because of this country where you live peacefully that contributed to a sense of betrayal for the rest of the world.
Second step would be to convince Anti-Zionist groups like hamas to lay down arms. Once they do you can create a Palestinian defense force (PDF) and let em protect their borders.
Israel has not listened to any country regarding this aspect. What if Israel asks Pakistan to instead start creating a refugee camp in Jordan as it will soon act to evict every Palestinian from the zone. That will give permanent peace to Palestinians.
Lets look at the neighbouring countries of Israel-Palestine . KSA is not interested to get involved on its own otherwise it should have done so already. Egypt has signed camp David accord and is enjoying delivering of american weapons. Assad is trying to protect his regime in Syria. Libya is divided into tribal chaos and needs to recover back from major set backs after Gaddafi's end.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
KSA has asked for military coalition against yemen to fight Iran backed militia. Why hasnt asked the same for Palestinians against Israel? Been more than 50 years now.
Fighting Iran is much more important ?
Putting a nuclear Umbrella in Jordan OR creating, arming and training Palestinian Defence force will put Pakistan directly against Israel, as if India and Afghanistan aren't enough already?
Backing of Turkey or China etc doesnt mean that Pakistan starts a world wide tour of Nuclear delivery and COIN in Muslim countries. Pakistan has to look after interests of its allies as they look after interests of Pakistan. Expecting China to back Pakistan while directly jumping into Israeli-palestinian conflict and putting nukes in Jordan is not wise.
What's in it for Pakistan?
Besides peace for the region,We would create strategic depth for our country and our nuclear arsenal. If Palestine issue comes to a stop,One part of Middle east is automatically going to be repaired,We can demand favors like Military bases in Jordan and Saudi-arabia.
Pakistan can ultimately get its much needed Geo-political significance on the world stage,As currently we're busy cleaning up the mess in our own country but it should be noted that since 1948 we've been fighting war's so our Country is used to it.
Ex COAS Raheel Shareef is a role model in fighting extremism and terrorism on home front. He is a military genius and a solid tactician who served the best interest of Pakistani nation which includes civilians and its Armed Forces. He is capable of leading an International Coalition Muslim force which should be capable to fight for Muslim interests in any of the troubled Muslim regions.
An international Muslim force can be made in three ways:
1. A Private force like Blackwater for Black operations financed and funded by the Coalition of all Muslim countries. This can include all retired personnel of any muslim country who are willing to join and fight for the interests of muslims. It can be a lightly armed force but can get heavy weaponry from the country in which its operating.
The major problem with such a force would be its labelling. It would very soon be labelled a Jihadist force and after a few operations it would enter the list of terrorist/banned organisations because its operations and interests would clash with NATO/USA.
2. An international Muslim Coalition force similar to the one proposed by KSA.
This force can have the best weapons available to it including fighter aircrafts, naval vessels as well as usual Army heavy weaponry like MBT, Artillery etc. Every muslim country would be required to send troops , otherwise arm it with weapons and if it could neither then it would need to finance it by funding it. This will also help in bringing the defence industry together as a common weapon used by coalition force like a MBT or aircraft would require less cost to operate.
The Operations could require general consensus of Muslim countries where the force should be deployed in the troubled muslim world. This Muslim world is itself not united due to the sects in which its divided, main being sunni/shia...similar lines wahabi/shia and so forth. Iran is also a muslim country and would want to participate and influence such a force this clashes directly with KSA. Syrian and Yemen war are examples. Pakistan is getting closer to Russia but Chechens are anti Russian. An ops for Chechniya Muslims clashes with Russia.
3. A Muslim Peacekeeping force on lines of UN.
Muslim troops deployed from all muslim nations in a muslim country looking after interests of muslim community, a sight to see. Sometimes such sights are observed in UN Missions also. Muslim soldiers can better understand culture and communities when deployed in other muslim countries.
This will again face two probelms:.
1. The muslim troops deployed by that muslim country will extend their ideology in the region which can be wahabism or shia ideology.
2. A black ops force can further be generated from a deployed peace keeping force which can do ops as directed by a biased higher command which could clash with stability of that region, NATO/UN interests as well as interests of other muslim countries (KSA-IRAN).
What are your thoughts?