Some of my observations and feel free to connect the dots.
Obama promised when he came to power in 2008, to get the US troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. He did so in Iraq prior to end of his first term. Now at the fag end his Presidential legacy he is wrapping of the process to get the most US troops out of the mountainous, land locked nation. In the process of doing so, Obama administration wants to keep our western neighbor and their crucial ally for fight against terrorism - Pakistan, very much in the loop. A few of its latest overtures to its vital non- NATO ally are :
1. Sell of F-16s to them. Win-win for both. Pakis are happy, so also the Armament industry in USA. Pay them $2 billion dollars, make them buy $1 billion dollar worth of arms from you. Uncle sam knows how to do business.
2. A visible drop in drone attacks on Pakistan - Afghanistan border badlands, a strategic dollop to Pakistan and an extended life for a few months for a few. But if they need to take out a high value target to enhance the winning chance of his party's nominee Hillary, come September and October, Obama and Kerry, old Democrat hand can order a few drone strikes to take out some bad guys and take out the trump card out of trump's campaign - strong against terrorism. Pakis would love to see Hillary as President rather than trump.
3. So far, State Department is conspicuous not overtly criticized the latest Lahore bombing targeting Christians on Easter. Had this happened in India, it could be planning to send a religious team to investigate, accusing India of prosecuting and persecuting the religious minority. (India did the right thing by recently) denying Visa to such a religious representation)
4. At this moment, Uncle Sam wants all quite on the eastern front of its lap dog Pakistan. I can see an American hand behind all these recent peace overtures from India to Pakistan, from Modi's impromptu visit to Lahore to inviting Pakistani investigator to Pathankot.
After USA leaves Afghanistan (with the usual disclaimer of leaving a few thousand troops for training and security purpose), things will be back to business as usual. Drone strikes will resume on the west frontier badlands and Terror strikes on the East.
Welcome to the world of realpolitik folks.
Obama promised when he came to power in 2008, to get the US troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. He did so in Iraq prior to end of his first term. Now at the fag end his Presidential legacy he is wrapping of the process to get the most US troops out of the mountainous, land locked nation. In the process of doing so, Obama administration wants to keep our western neighbor and their crucial ally for fight against terrorism - Pakistan, very much in the loop. A few of its latest overtures to its vital non- NATO ally are :
1. Sell of F-16s to them. Win-win for both. Pakis are happy, so also the Armament industry in USA. Pay them $2 billion dollars, make them buy $1 billion dollar worth of arms from you. Uncle sam knows how to do business.
2. A visible drop in drone attacks on Pakistan - Afghanistan border badlands, a strategic dollop to Pakistan and an extended life for a few months for a few. But if they need to take out a high value target to enhance the winning chance of his party's nominee Hillary, come September and October, Obama and Kerry, old Democrat hand can order a few drone strikes to take out some bad guys and take out the trump card out of trump's campaign - strong against terrorism. Pakis would love to see Hillary as President rather than trump.
3. So far, State Department is conspicuous not overtly criticized the latest Lahore bombing targeting Christians on Easter. Had this happened in India, it could be planning to send a religious team to investigate, accusing India of prosecuting and persecuting the religious minority. (India did the right thing by recently) denying Visa to such a religious representation)
4. At this moment, Uncle Sam wants all quite on the eastern front of its lap dog Pakistan. I can see an American hand behind all these recent peace overtures from India to Pakistan, from Modi's impromptu visit to Lahore to inviting Pakistani investigator to Pathankot.
After USA leaves Afghanistan (with the usual disclaimer of leaving a few thousand troops for training and security purpose), things will be back to business as usual. Drone strikes will resume on the west frontier badlands and Terror strikes on the East.
Welcome to the world of realpolitik folks.
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