US defence secretary-elect terms Pakistan 'essential partner'

[RoadRunner401]

I'll be the first to admit that I was one of those, but in my defense - historically speaking Republicans have always come through for us in the past.

Republicans
Nixon
Bush (Sr. and Jr.)

Democrats
Clinton (both Husband & Wife)
Obama: "Do more"*

Now, if Trump turned out to be an a-hole is no surprise. He even caught his own Republicans off-guard with his policies.

*As for Biden, I will say this..., when he was Vice President to Obama - he wasn't in favor of the US going after OBL. That has been mentioned in Obama's new book.

Now we all know it was a rouse for Obama to get re-elected 'cause the withdrawal from Afghanistan wasn't happening and he needed something BIG. I suppose Modi took a page from Obama when he pulled the Pulwama stunt, but that shouldn't come as a surprise as Indra Gandhi used to do the same.

Lets see. Its still too early in the game and I think things will get a whole lot more clearer once the 1st Month of Biden's Presidency passes.

I will say this, that because of CoVid-era - if PMIK can't engage him personally, the Foreign Office needs to buck up.

I am not suggesting that we go for more F-16's (from the US), but spares are an issue. And I don't think we should rule out Foreign F-16's if there aren't any strings attached (End-User Agreement).

voohooooo More F-sola We Have learned Nothing

 

[That Guy]

Biden's Pakistan/Afghanistan/India policy is going to be interesting, especially with recent events. We might even see some sympathy support from biden to Imran, as they've both faced false and unproven accusations of voter fraud. With India blatantly violating US sanctions, and US withdrawal from Afghanistan coming into focus, US-Pakistani relations may end up resetting to a neutral level. Biden is probably especially worried about unchecked Chinese influence in Pakistan, which was allowed to grow and expand in Pakistan without any challenge from the US. Perhaps we may see US military support restart again, and the promised systems like the AH1Z delivered to Pakistan, maybe get the approval to buy those Jordanian f16s, along with very much needed spares.

Or, things could get worse, and Biden could be far more hawkish towards Pakistan than Trump was.

Who knows? Only time will tell us the truth.

 

[The Eagle]

Op article is updated with complete write-up and link accordingly. Title amended.

Regards,

 

[SD 10]

Calm down, Pak Army and Air Force have shown US finger on many occasions now, no one is running to anyone. If US can help us with training and some spares and equipment of course we will take it, we woukld be foolish not to.

That sno training.... Thats how they put CIA agents among our ranks....
I dont know when will Pakistanis learn........ No MORE F16S PLease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ziaulislam]

This is interesting, with potential CAATSA, you could see a situation of India actually being sanctioned and US Military aid to Pakistan restored. Hope everyone who wrongly claimed the old "Democrats are bad for Pak and Republicans good for Pak" now take note...

Well aid will be very difficult to pass in current environment

However, executive orders can do wonders

Pakistan should try to leverage loan waivers and more funding from WB AB for its infrastructure projects

Bush waived 2b in pakistani loans by a simple executive order

Also we may be able to sneak in some FMF

But my hope is that12 CSF is released via some mechanisms like loan waivers if no actual money

USA used and destroyed pakistan infrastructure without paying a penny

 

[Nadeem Ganjum]

lol looks like they need us again.

 

[khansaheeb]

US defence secretary-elect terms Pakistan 'essential partner'
General Lloyd Austin lauds the country's steps for Afghan peace process; vows to deter 'regional actors'


Web DeskJanuary 20, 2021

Retired Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 19. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON:
US defence secretary-elect former General Lloyd Austin on Wednesday termed Pakistan 'an essential partner' in the Afghan peace process, saying he will deter regional actors from spoiling the peace of the region, in an apparent reference to arch-rivals India.

"Pakistan is an essential partner in any peace process in Afghanistan," Gen Austin said while responding to a question regarding his policy as the top defence official of the country.

He added, "If confirmed, I will encourage a regional approach that garners support from neighbors like Pakistan, while also deterring regional actors, from serving as spoilers to the Afghanistan peace process."
“Pakistan will play an important role in any political settlement in Afghanistan.”

Lauding Pakistan's role in the regional peace process, Gen Austin said, "I understand Pakistan has taken constructive steps to meet US requests in support of the Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, although this progress is incomplete."

He noted that "many factors in addition to the security assistance suspension may impact Pakistan’s cooperation, including Afghanistan negotiations and the dangerous escalation following the Pulwama attack."

The former US Central Command commander added that he would focus on shared interests between Washington and Islamabad “which include training future Pakistan military leaders through the use of International Military Education and Training funds”.

Trump had suspended Pakistan participation in the IMET program in August 2018. The US administration later resumed the facility afforded to military officers from Pakistan in December 2019.
IMET affords spaces to foreign military officers at US military education institutions, such as the US Army War College and the US Naval War College.

However, the former four-star general maintained that he “will press Pakistan” to prevent its territory from being used by militants or other violent organisations” and said he would continue to build relationships with Pakistani military to “provide openings for the United States and Pakistan to cooperate on key issues”.

On December 7, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden chose retired General Lloyd Austin, who oversaw U.S. forces in the Middle East under President Barack Obama, to be his defense secretary.

US defence secretary-elect terms Pakistan essential partner | The Express Tribune

US defence secretary-elect General Lloyd Austin has termed Pakistan 'an essential partner' in the Afghan peace process.

tribune.com.pk

Yeh, essential to be double crossed and bombed and ditched at time of convenience. The question is what can the US do for Pakistan as it couldn't militarily defeat the poorest nation on earth, Afghanistan ? US needs to prove that they are friends indeed by deeds rather than duplicitous policy.

 

[Trango Towers]

Middle finger to America.

With 2500 us troops and 18000 plus mercenaries called contractors. Its still an environment that has to be cleaned of Americans and then we can clean the infians and secure our border and work for peace.

 

[peagle]

US defence secretary-elect terms Pakistan 'essential partner'
General Lloyd Austin lauds the country's steps for Afghan peace process; vows to deter 'regional actors'


Web DeskJanuary 20, 2021

Retired Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 19. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON:
US defence secretary-elect former General Lloyd Austin on Wednesday termed Pakistan 'an essential partner' in the Afghan peace process, saying he will deter regional actors from spoiling the peace of the region, in an apparent reference to arch-rivals India.

"Pakistan is an essential partner in any peace process in Afghanistan," Gen Austin said while responding to a question regarding his policy as the top defence official of the country.

He added, "If confirmed, I will encourage a regional approach that garners support from neighbors like Pakistan, while also deterring regional actors, from serving as spoilers to the Afghanistan peace process."
“Pakistan will play an important role in any political settlement in Afghanistan.”

Lauding Pakistan's role in the regional peace process, Gen Austin said, "I understand Pakistan has taken constructive steps to meet US requests in support of the Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, although this progress is incomplete."

He noted that "many factors in addition to the security assistance suspension may impact Pakistan’s cooperation, including Afghanistan negotiations and the dangerous escalation following the Pulwama attack."

The former US Central Command commander added that he would focus on shared interests between Washington and Islamabad “which include training future Pakistan military leaders through the use of International Military Education and Training funds”.

Trump had suspended Pakistan participation in the IMET program in August 2018. The US administration later resumed the facility afforded to military officers from Pakistan in December 2019.
IMET affords spaces to foreign military officers at US military education institutions, such as the US Army War College and the US Naval War College.

However, the former four-star general maintained that he “will press Pakistan” to prevent its territory from being used by militants or other violent organisations” and said he would continue to build relationships with Pakistani military to “provide openings for the United States and Pakistan to cooperate on key issues”.

On December 7, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden chose retired General Lloyd Austin, who oversaw U.S. forces in the Middle East under President Barack Obama, to be his defense secretary.

US defence secretary-elect terms Pakistan essential partner | The Express Tribune

US defence secretary-elect General Lloyd Austin has termed Pakistan 'an essential partner' in the Afghan peace process.

tribune.com.pk

I would trust a thousands snakes,
before trusting America, ever again.

Once bitten, twice shy is one thing,
but, they've bitten us so many times, I've stopped counting.

 

[Taimoor Khan]

OK, if I have any doubts about Biden and his team, today I have non.

Even North Korea do not test missile on the day new American president about to take oath, WE DID! LOL


Message has been send boys.

American fanboys will be disappointed and Trump would be remembered in certain nice way.

 

[Yasser76]

If Pakistan asks for more F-16s, it does not mean we have "not learned" anything, people need to grow up. JF-17 and AZM show we have learned.

If surplus F-16s are available, free or very cheap, PAF would be stupid not to go for these as we have infrastucture and pilots.

This is not the same as spending $10 Billion on some F-35s or Super Hornets, in which case you would be right, we have learned nothing. This is simply a case of being practical.

Despite us severing military ties with France, people have no issue with us buying old Mirages, why the issue with us buying old F-16s if we can?

 

[khansaheeb]

Biden's Pakistan/Afghanistan/India policy is going to be interesting, especially with recent events. We might even see some sympathy support from biden to Imran, as they've both faced false and unproven accusations of voter fraud. With India blatantly violating US sanctions, and US withdrawal from Afghanistan coming into focus, US-Pakistani relations may end up resetting to a neutral level. Biden is probably especially worried about unchecked Chinese influence in Pakistan, which was allowed to grow and expand in Pakistan without any challenge from the US. Perhaps we may see US military support restart again, and the promised systems like the AH1Z delivered to Pakistan, maybe get the approval to buy those Jordanian f16s, along with very much needed spares.

Or, things could get worse, and Biden could be far more hawkish towards Pakistan than Trump was.

Who knows? Only time will tell us the truth.

Don't expect anything from anyone who prostrates to the Zions. Dick Dastardly never changed his ways and always tried to throw spanners in the works. After having broken everything it could the US wants a foot in the door to damage CPEC in however way it can. That's the orders from Tel Aviv which they must follow.

That sno training.... Thats how they put CIA agents among our ranks....
I dont know when will Pakistanis learn........ No MORE F16S PLease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What would you choose, a life of marching up and down hills or a green card, huge cash amounts and a life of luxury?

 

[SD 10]

What would you choose, a life of marching up and down hills or a green card, huge cash amounts and a life of luxury?

I have a pretty good life here, no need of a green card.

 

[nana41]

the issue is US needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs US..

also no mention of indian terror groups operating from Afghanistan... go figure how fair and honest americans are

Jo Biden will simply continue with Obama’s hypocritical policy of pleasing India at the expense of Pakistan ,just as the enemy of Islam and Pakistan,Christian Zionist Donald Trump did.

 

[khansaheeb]

I have a pretty good life here, no need of a green card.

You are not ambitious!