China, Pakistan Poised To Clash Over Militant Sanctuaries
Well a lot pf people have been wondering how long China would be patient, so this report is interesting. Especially when the Foreign Minister says:
Quote:
Every Pakistani must ask whether the people [militants] we nurtured during the past 30 or 40 years are still our [strategic] assets today. Are they our assets or liability? We have to define this on our national level. I am talking about what my children and their children will endure [if we fail].
First we need to confess our sins and then hope for atonement.
Link:https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/pakista.../28720725.html
Shashank Joshi's response:
Quote:
The FM has no authority to change policy on this matter.
Growing Pakistan–Russia Military Ties
A short article from RUSI, by an intern from Pakistan and the full title is: Growing Pakistan–Russia Military Ties Reflect Central Asia’s Changing Geopolitics.
Link:https://rusi.org/commentary/growing-...ng-geopolitics
It starts with:
Quote:
Pakistan’s military is intensifying security cooperation with Russia. It is a remarkable and historic turnaround for two countries that for many decades considered each other rivals.
One expects that Pakistani diplomats will be busy, as the author concedes:
Quote:
China and
India have reacted with dismay to these overt strategic ties between Russia and Pakistan. However, President Vladimir Putin
dismissed such fears, saying that India still remained Moscow’s strategic and historic partner in Asia.
It ends with a rather predictable swipe at President Trump:
Quote:
Rapprochement with Russia could be a sign of things to come, if the US keeps threatening the Pakistani military with sanctions and if Washington continues to stall military sales.
China sits on the FATF fence: ouch
From The Soufan Center IntelBrief a curious diplomatic episode:
Quote:
The most significant factor in the FATF putting Pakistan back on the grey list, which it was on from 2012-2015—though the global dynamics are quite different now—are the postures of Saudi Arabia and China; the former voted for the measure and the latter abstained, allowing the motion to carry. While Pakistan expects pressure from the U.S., the lack of support from China and Saudi Arabia, both of whom are vital to the economy and finances of Pakistan, is a sign of effective lobbying by the U.S. and, at least publicly, those two countries taking a tougher stand on Pakistan’s dance with terrorist groups.
Link:http://thesoufancenter.org/tsc-intel...sure-pakistan/