I understand the points that this article attempts to make - parts of Pakistan's strategy towards Afghanistan have made both countries less stable. However this Carnegie piece is obviously run as "do more" propaganda against Pakistan, So goes Washington's general thinking: if only Islamabad did what we demand, America would be "winning the war." This argument conviently minimizes both the historic and present errors of U,S, policy in the region, and establishes a scapegoat for post-2014. Islamabad will never broker a one-sided political agreement with the Taliban, as Washington expects, and I expect Pakistan to profit in the long-term from NATO's stalemated withdrawal.
The self-exculpation comes through the article very loudly for me, James. Hillary is the principal cheerleader for this hand-washing routine in any given week it seems.
I understand the points that this article attempts to make - parts of Pakistan's strategy towards Afghanistan have made both countries less stable. However this Carnegie piece is obviously run as "do more" propaganda against Pakistan, So goes Washington's general thinking: if only Islamabad did what we demand, America would be "winning the war." This argument conviently minimizes both the historic and present errors of U,S, policy in the region, and establishes a scapegoat for post-2014. Islamabad will never broker a one-sided political agreement with the Taliban, as Washington expects, and I expect Pakistan to profit in the long-term from NATO's stalemated withdrawal.
ReplyDeleteThe self-exculpation comes through the article very loudly for me, James. Hillary is the principal cheerleader for this hand-washing routine in any given week it seems.
ReplyDeleteI find that The Diplomat in general has a Neoconish spice to it. LOL
ReplyDelete