Why escalated India-Pakistan hostility is the new normal

[fitpOsitive]

OPINION
Why escalated India-Pakistan hostility is the new normal
by Tom Rogan
| February 27, 2019 01:51 PM

Pakistan's downing of at least one Indian air force jet on Wednesday should not be viewed as a random crisis incident. Instead, it reflects a new period of escalating tension between the two nuclear powers.

The root of this tension is clear: Pakistan's support for terrorist groups targeting India, and India's increasing unwillingness to accept these attacks without military reprisal. Because Pakistan is equally unwilling to accept Indian retaliatory attacks, the escalation dynamics are set in place. While it's likely that the current crisis, precipitated by a recent attack by Pakistani-supported terrorists on India, will blow over, we're likely to see new military showdowns in the months ahead.

Again, however, the underlying problem here is that Pakistan won't stop supporting terrorist attacks on Indian soil. Although recent former Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif and the former head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Naveed Mukhtar showed true leadership taking the fight to terrorists on their soil, powerful cabals of the mid-senior ranks of the security establishment are constantly acting to restrain these efforts. This is why, as on Wednesday, when Indian officials give their Pakistani counterparts evidence of terrorist activity, Pakistan's response is muted.

This obviously fuels Indian political fury. And that fury fits naturally with the long-bubbling desire of Indian security officials to confront Pakistan. This fits with the interests of both nations' leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is approaching an election, has realist impulses in foreign policy, but his political base expectsincreasingly resolute action against Pakistani terrorism. And Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan cultivates Islamic extremist support while also — as with most of his predecessors — deferring to the military on security issues.

In short, the ingredients for tensions are clear and apparent and, short of fears over a nuclear war, the ingredients for detente are absent.

@VCheng

See Solomon, just leave everything. If USA guarantee us Kashmir, then we can offer a base in that to USA.
Sounds good to you guys?

 

[Solomon2]

See Solomon, just leave everything. If USA guarantee us Kashmir, then we can offer a base in that to USA.
Sounds good to you guys?

Why in the world would the U.S. want a base in Kashmir?

 

[fitpOsitive]

Why in the world would the U.S. want a base in Kashmir?

Ohky... Then carryon the normal thread.

 

[Pakistansdefender]

There is action going on in kashmir right now? Is it true ?

 

[hussain0216]

I can't imagine that the Pakistan of today would accept a free vote by Kashmiris if the result was rejecting joining Pakistan, don't you agree? And until Pakistan stops supporting "stateless" violent actors in IOK there's no prospect of a free vote, is there?

Rubbish,,, Thats ALL we are asking for

The indians however know a DEMOCRATIC vote will inevitably end in a Pakistani victory so it us forcing the people to become indian when they hate hindus and indians

This can End Tommorow if india talks about giving the Kashmiris a free democratic choice

 

[VCheng]

OPINION
Why escalated India-Pakistan hostility is the new normal
by Tom Rogan
| February 27, 2019 01:51 PM

Pakistan's downing of at least one Indian air force jet on Wednesday should not be viewed as a random crisis incident. Instead, it reflects a new period of escalating tension between the two nuclear powers.

The root of this tension is clear: Pakistan's support for terrorist groups targeting India, and India's increasing unwillingness to accept these attacks without military reprisal. Because Pakistan is equally unwilling to accept Indian retaliatory attacks, the escalation dynamics are set in place. While it's likely that the current crisis, precipitated by a recent attack by Pakistani-supported terrorists on India, will blow over, we're likely to see new military showdowns in the months ahead.

Again, however, the underlying problem here is that Pakistan won't stop supporting terrorist attacks on Indian soil. Although recent former Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif and the former head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Naveed Mukhtar showed true leadership taking the fight to terrorists on their soil, powerful cabals of the mid-senior ranks of the security establishment are constantly acting to restrain these efforts. This is why, as on Wednesday, when Indian officials give their Pakistani counterparts evidence of terrorist activity, Pakistan's response is muted.

This obviously fuels Indian political fury. And that fury fits naturally with the long-bubbling desire of Indian security officials to confront Pakistan. This fits with the interests of both nations' leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is approaching an election, has realist impulses in foreign policy, but his political base expectsincreasingly resolute action against Pakistani terrorism. And Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan cultivates Islamic extremist support while also — as with most of his predecessors — deferring to the military on security issues.

In short, the ingredients for tensions are clear and apparent and, short of fears over a nuclear war, the ingredients for detente are absent.

@VCheng

Please keep in mind the US perspective on what India did this time around. The key to resolving these issues will take some economic carrot-and-stick approaches, but resolved they will be, rest assured.

 

[Solomon2]

Please keep in mind the US perspective on what India did this time around. The key to resolving these issues will take some economic carrot-and-stick approaches, but resolved they will be, rest assured.

I see you have unshakable faith in the rationality of the subcontinent's decision-makers and in their control of the situation.

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

OPINION
Why escalated India-Pakistan hostility is the new normal
by Tom Rogan
| February 27, 2019 01:51 PM

Pakistan's downing of at least one Indian air force jet on Wednesday should not be viewed as a random crisis incident. Instead, it reflects a new period of escalating tension between the two nuclear powers.

The root of this tension is clear: Pakistan's support for terrorist groups targeting India, and India's increasing unwillingness to accept these attacks without military reprisal. Because Pakistan is equally unwilling to accept Indian retaliatory attacks, the escalation dynamics are set in place. While it's likely that the current crisis, precipitated by a recent attack by Pakistani-supported terrorists on India, will blow over, we're likely to see new military showdowns in the months ahead.

Again, however, the underlying problem here is that Pakistan won't stop supporting terrorist attacks on Indian soil. Although recent former Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif and the former head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Naveed Mukhtar showed true leadership taking the fight to terrorists on their soil, powerful cabals of the mid-senior ranks of the security establishment are constantly acting to restrain these efforts. This is why, as on Wednesday, when Indian officials give their Pakistani counterparts evidence of terrorist activity, Pakistan's response is muted.

This obviously fuels Indian political fury. And that fury fits naturally with the long-bubbling desire of Indian security officials to confront Pakistan. This fits with the interests of both nations' leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is approaching an election, has realist impulses in foreign policy, but his political base expectsincreasingly resolute action against Pakistani terrorism. And Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan cultivates Islamic extremist support while also — as with most of his predecessors — deferring to the military on security issues.

In short, the ingredients for tensions are clear and apparent and, short of fears over a nuclear war, the ingredients for detente are absent.

@VCheng

Guys, the above is the washington examiner. They also claimed back in 2002 that Iraq had wmd that could destroy Europe in 30 mins. Ignore them.......

 

[Vortex]

I can't imagine that the Pakistan of today would accept a free vote by Kashmiris if the result was rejecting joining Pakistan, don't you agree? And until Pakistan stops supporting "stateless" violent actors in IOK there's no prospect of a free vote, is there?

If their right which was given to them in 1947 was really given to Kashmiris people we wouldn’t be in the situation we are today and you are talking about if their due right was given today...


Namak haram ki oulad

 

[Solomon2]

If their right which was given to them in 1947 was really given to Kashmiris people we wouldn’t be in the situation we are today -

There was a chance to settle it after the 1971 war but Z.A. Bhutto begged the Indians to keep the Kashmir issue open. I think the Indians laughed and complied, foreseeing that the continuing psychological damage to Pakistan would exceed the gain India would receive by compelling Pakistan to renounce its claims on Kashmir.

 

[VCheng]

I see you have unshakable faith in the rationality of the subcontinent's decision-makers and in their control of the situation.

Absolutely. The dark-skinned natives can be surprisingly intelligent. I know them very well since I am one of them.

 

[Solomon2]

Absolutely. The dark-skinned natives can be surprisingly intelligent. I know them very well since I am one of them.

I grew up with Pakistani neighbors and had a Pakistani lab partner in college. Their superior intelligence did not prevent them from making huge errors of judgement. And Z.A. Bhutto was even smarter, yet he manipulated Pakistan into two wars, was betrayed by the general he promoted over others, and ended up hanging from the gibbet. So I concluded that intelligence doesn't lead to wisdom - rather, if one doesn't perceive reality correctly, it can lead one astray.

 

[VCheng]

I grew up with Pakistani neighbors and had a Pakistani lab partner in college. Their superior intelligence did not prevent them from making huge errors of judgement. And Z.A. Bhutto was even smarter, yet he manipulated Pakistan into two wars, was betrayed by the general he promoted over others, and ended up hanging from the gibbet. So I concluded that intelligence doesn't lead to wisdom - rather, if one doesn't perceive reality correctly, it can lead one astray.

Actually, Pakistani's policies have a surprising (for some) amount of wisdom given the particular hand that they have been dealt. Mind you, I think certain aspects of them need to change, but overall, it is eminently logical and productive for them. The international community can defiantly work with them. I have no doubt.