The US “do more” syndrome

The US “do more” syndrome

Dr. Jassim Taqui

As usual, the US State Department has come out with a statement demanding more action against the Haqqani Network, stating that it posed “security threat to the entire South Asia region and beyond.”

The statement is mind boggling since the COAS Gen. Raheel Sharif categorically stated that the Zarb-e-Azab” operation targeted all militants without exception. Also, Senator  John McCain, Chairman Senate Armed Service Committee praised the Zarb-e-Azab operation when he along a four-member bipartisan, high-powered US Senate delegation visited North Waziristan Agency on July 4, 2016.

The mighty US army along with ISAF could not succeed in clearing North Waziristan from terrorists despite occupying Afghanistan for the last 15 years. How can they assume that the Pak Army would succeed in achieving this elusive feat a couple of months?

The US administration thought it wise to deprive Pakistan of acquiring just 8 F-16s so as not to annoy India. The administration also deprived Pakistan of its dues from Coalition Support Fund, linking it with “do more” syndrome. The CSF cannot be linked to any other issue since it is established to refunding the money spent by the Pak Army on deploying over 150,000 along the Pak-Afghan borders. Such demands are illegitimate and immoral that can be categorized as “diplomatic blackmail.”

In fact, the administration has created out of the blue the greatest danger to regional and global security by signing a military treaty with India. The treaty is giving India the right to use about 700-800 US bases throughout the world under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Similarly, India is opening all its bases for the US Air Force and Navy. In other words, the administration is using the Indian Army as “global police,” a la Shahinshah role (1941-1979) as “Gulf Police.”

This policy is the most dangerous one since there are 5 nuclear powers in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Russia, China and US).

Ostensibly, the administration is punishing Pakistan for opposing Indian role in Afghanistan, refusing to freeze its nuclear weapons and its big no to giving up CPEC. This highly risky policy would give Pakistan more determination to sign military defence treaties with China and Russia to ensure its survival. Thus, the administration has created a grave situation for both India and Pakistan.

One can smell evil from this policy. It has come from a regime that has been accused of killing directly or indirectly millions of people in Japan, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other countries where it is involved. It has also come from a man who is involved in the genocide of the Muslims, Christians and other minorities in the Indian Gujarat. Thus, evil is embracing evil now in the Indian Subcontinent.

This policy is unfortunate indeed. For, the Founding Father of the United States, George Washington (1789-1797) vowed to champion the freedom, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all nations. Also, the silent majority of the American people believes and support global peace and security.