Qureshi wonders how ‘serious’ US is in long-term ties with Pakistan

[muse]

Agnostic

I think it may be a misrepresentation to imagine taliban as a monolith and I don't think there is a sort of policy where Pakistan bank on the taliban - after all which policies did taliban deliver to pakistan when they were in power.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Agnostic

I think it may be a misrepresentation to imagine taliban as a monolith and I don't think there is a sort of policy where Pakistan bank on the taliban - after all which policies did taliban deliver to pakistan when they were in power.

Muse,

I don't consider the Taliban a monolith - and I have referred to 'possible support'.

Pakistan does support groups such as Mullah Nazir and Haji Namdar, however they are far less inclined to challenge the writ of the State, and have in fact cooperated with the GoP in removing 'foreigners', and maintained the traditions of tribal governance through consultation with Tribal elders (so far).

Quite honestly, I am not certain what is holding back a Pakistani response against groups such as B Mehsud's and those in Hangu, who have slaughtered Pakistani soldiers and paramilitary.

I hope it is the uncertainty of a new government that wants to try the option of dialog that it promised the electorate, before it resorts to military force, instead of some sort of misplaced hope of keeping some of these groups around as a 'buffer'.

Only time will tell. Things are coming to a head I feel - domestically the deals are collapsing as we speak, and there have been two very high profile and deadly attacks on both US and Indian interests in Afghanistan.

 

[muse]

The same thing that is at the heart of what holds pakistan back - politics of vendetta -- mean spirited, miserly politics, is what is holding back the Pakistani response.

You will note that this so called "democratic" refuses to bring the matter to parliament - why? because parliament wants judges and Mushrraf - no one wants to accept responsibility.

there is talk, in a Shahin Sebhai article, about some sort of grand single line with regard to terrorism being formulated - yawn -- will belive it when I see it.

 

[Majnun]

Flintlock and SM Moiz - this is foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureishi, not Ahmed Qureishi the commentator.

Now can we address the contents of the article, which the two of you have apparently ignored in your tirade over Ahmed Qureshi.

No, I'm afraid you are mistaken, at least about me. I know who he is, and I am not saying anything is wrong about what he says. I was just saying that the way he talks never impressed me. Just that, for a public figure, he doesn't talk very well.
Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Majnun]

Next administration in USA is most likely to be democrats and democratic governments never been good to Pakistan.
I personally don't see Americans doing any thing for Pakistan now or in the future.

Yes. Historically, it has usually been when a Republican government is in power that Pakistan and America have good relations. And usually when the Democrats come to power, Pakistan-America relations sour up.
It looks like Obama's going out of his way to antagonize Pakistan.
What's with China?

 

[araz]

I don't see a long term, broad based relationship being attempted by this administration.

Pakistan might have better luck with the next administration, but I am not certain.

In the long term the US is looking at India as a partner, and bolstering India is its priority. In such a situation, tying Pakistan down to free India's hands vis a vis China would be part of the strategy, and therefore any broad based partnership with Pakistan, that would strengthen it, would not be part of US goals in the region.

That does not mean that the US is out to destroy Pakistan, in fact it will most likely continue marginal military supplies that do not affect the balance of power WRT India, and let it retain some influence with Pakistan, but it is not going to go out of its way to develop a partnership with Pakistan that would annoy India.

Agno.
Thank you for your post. As the administration is coming to the end of its term, its commitment to Pakistan becomes irrelevant. We have to see how things pan out with the next government. I agree that the relations would not be as good as they have been. However, like you I also see a stable relationship with a "carrot and stick approach" as they just cannot let PAkistan get out of their hands and be destabilized. Their support for India is on going and will grow from strength to strength, as will Pak China relationship!! The interesting thing to note would be how russia responds to American overtures to India. Would it open up to pakistan. If I were in the Government I would take the russian offer of friendship and restore a relationship, but not embark on further defence related relations.
WaSalam
Araz