LOL Challenges for US Seen in China-Pakistan Ties

[maximuswarrior]

Richard Olson, who was then the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Dec. 6, 2015.

The U.S. diplomat who once steered Washington's relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan says Islamabad's growing closeness with Beijing could pose new challenges to already frail U.S.-Pakistan relations.

Richard Olson was the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and was previously U.S. ambassador to Pakistan. In a Voice of America interview, he warned that growing rivalries between the United States and China were likely to complicate security and other issues in this already volatile region.

A contest between Washington and Beijing for dominance can frame the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and bring "new challenges," Olson said.

Some of Pakistan's policy elite share this view. Pakistan's former foreign secretary, Salman Bashir, told VOA that Washington should not view regional issues through the lens of the U.S.-China rivalry that intensified this year.

"There is a tendency in Washington's policy circle to view everything as part of the great game. Pakistan has already experienced this as a U.S. ally during the Cold War years against the then-Soviet Union, and that cooperation turned into a disaster for Pakistan. We are not ready to be part of this new great game," Bashir said.

However, the U.S and China agree on some issues related to Afghanistan, believing that a stable Afghanistan could help economic development and regional integration for South and Central Asia.

Olson said China "would want to see Afghanistan included in its Belt and Road Initiative and somewhat aligned with CPEC [the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor]. But the first step is to establish security and achieving a political settlement [with the Afghan Taliban]."

He said Pakistan could play a significant role in that matter, because it has some sway over warring Taliban factions.

"If Pakistan can help bring the Taliban to the table, it would also dramatically improve its relations with Washington, which is pursuing a single-point agenda of striking a political settlement and achieving peace in Afghanistan," Olson said.

However, he acknowledged that during 2018, the strategic divergence between Islamabad and Washington grew wider than ever. The former ambassador said "there is still a window of opportunity available to Pakistan in terms of helping the U.S. secure peace in Afghanistan. And I don't believe Pakistan can deliver the Taliban to the table. But they can definitely take certain initiatives to make that happen."

https://www.voanews.com/a/challenges-for-us-seen-in-china-pakistan-ties/4701872.html

 

[maximuswarrior]

Look who is crying for mercy. Shameful and disgusting Americans.

Such a hypocritical and confused bunch these Americans.

They hate Pakistan all day long, but beg for a one-sided partnership. Jeez.

 

[undercover JIX]

Look who is crying for mercy. Shameful and disgusting Americans.

Such a hypocritical and confused bunch these Americans.

They hate Pakistan all day long, but beg for a one-sided partnership. Jeez.

but who is to blame here? USA is doing whatever needs to be done to achieve its goals and suits national interests.
on the other hand, what is Pakistan's policy

 

[XDescendantX]

And I don't believe Pakistan can deliver the Taliban to the table. But they can definitely take certain initiatives to make that happen."

Why does the U.S. want Pakistan to deliver the Taliban to the table, I thought the U.S. didn't negotiate with so-called terrorist? Pakistan from day one should've told the U.S. if you want Pakistan's help then solve the Kashmir issue first!

 

[maximuswarrior]

but who is to blame here? USA is doing whatever needs to be done to achieve its goals and suits national interests.
on the other hand, what is Pakistan's policy

As long as we prevent the US and India from sending over Afghan refugees and TTP terrorists to wreak havoc we have achieved our goals. The fencing serves that purpose along with support for pro-Pakistan elements.

 

[undercover JIX]

As long as we prevent the US and India from sending over Afghan refugees and TTP terrorists to wreak havoc we have achieved our goals. The fencing serves that purpose along with support for pro-Pakistan elements.

Yes, but i think this is very basic objective which is worked on.

We need to see this not as a regional or local conflict, but as a global issue. players are not only local but from all major super powers and their allies, hence we need to deal with it accordingly, which we are not doing a good job. based on our importance in this game, we should have achieved and gained lot more then we can imagine, but other crooks around us reaping the benefits of our sacrifices.

We are still treating it as an issue which is at a very initial stage. 17+ years are suppose to be enough for us to learn this global level game and become a leader.

Lets hope. Insha Allah

 

[cloud4000]

Why does the U.S. want Pakistan to deliver the Taliban to the table, I thought the U.S. didn't negotiate with so-called terrorist? Pakistan from day one should've told the U.S. if you want Pakistan's help then solve the Kashmir issue first!

US never considered the Afghan Taliban terrorists. Never placed it on any such list. And US has talked to them in the past.

As for linking Afghanistan to resolving Kashmir...well, that’s just a dead end.

 

[Crystal-Clear]

usa should act as an ally at first place if it want our support ....

 

[Umair Nawaz]

For Pakistan, relations with US r a thing of the past! a bilateral relationship where there r simply no real gains!

The only gains i see is of America only not of Pakistan. So its upto America to prove to be a useful tool for Pakistan, Pakistan is needing economic relations, knowledge transfer, technological transfer and IT relationship with America.......in sectors like Agriculture, knowledge, technology, IT, and economics.

If America can prove its worth in here then its fine but otherwise, America will have to rely totally on its strategic partner india for future co-operation of any kind.

 

[mingle]

US has to come up with a plan to match up China both investments and trade plus military hardware as well .

 

[American Pakistani]

Why does the U.S. want Pakistan to deliver the Taliban to the table, I thought the U.S. didn't negotiate with so-called terrorist? Pakistan from day one should've told the U.S. if you want Pakistan's help then solve the Kashmir issue first!

Yup, nothing less than IOK should be Pakistan's priority. And second should be US helping Pakistan's economy by providing more trade.

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

Pakistan delivered the Taliban to the table a few years ago and the americans assassinated the Taliban leader---.

Who knows what the american govt wants on a given day---.

 

[Dubious]

US never considered the Afghan Taliban terrorists.

No, they just fighting them and losing soldiers for almost 2 decades for fun...Move along!

 

[cloud4000]

No, they just fighting them and losing soldiers for almost 2 decades for fun...Move along!

You can't seem to differentiate between terrorists and an insurgents. There's a difference.

 

[Dubious]

You can't seem to differentiate between terrorists and an insurgents. There's a difference.

So for 2 decades they are fighting insurgents under the banner war on terrorism?

Try harder!