America And China Do Not See Eye-To-Eye On What Needs To Be Done In Pakistan

South China Morning Post: What China has to fear from US drones in Trump's Afghan search

As the Trump administration gears up for a renewed campaign in Afghanistan, US military actions are spilling over the border to the Pakistani province of Balochistan – home to a centrepiece of Beijing’s Belt and Road project

China finds itself in the eye of a brewing diplomatic storm between the United States and Pakistan over Afghanistan that threatens its multibillion-dollar Belt and Road investments.

Tensions between the US and Pakistan, its major non-Nato ally, have risen in recent months since the Trump administration signalled its intention to renew its military campaign to arrest the rapid loss of Afghan territory to Taliban insurgents. The Pentagon believes the success of the initiative depends on using political pressure and punitive measures to force Islamabad into reversing its alleged policy of granting sanctuary to the Taliban and its terrorist faction, the Haqqani Network.

“The exploitation of ungoverned sanctuaries outside Afghanistan by terrorists and Afghan insurgents is the single greatest external factor that could cause failure of the coalition campaign,” said General John Nicholson, commander of US forces in Afghanistan on June 20. “Afghan-oriented militant groups retain freedom of action inside Pakistani territory and benefit from the support of elements of the Pakistani government.”

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WNU Editor: The Chinese believe that they can influence Pakistan with economic incentives and political support so that over time they will be able to temper their more militant tendencies .... including having them pull back their support of militant groups like the Taliban. What's my take .... the Chinese are waaaaayyyy to optimistic on their ability to sway Pakistan to pursue a different course. Just on the issue of nuclear weapons Pakistan is now on a program to vastly expand their nuclear arsenal ..... and I do not see how a few extra billion dollars from China and a promise that Pakistan will play an integral part in the "Silk Road" is going to change a policy that Pakistan has been pursuing for a very long time. U.S. drones in the skies over Pakistan is a concern .... but on a list of very worrisome developments .... a few U.S. drones in the skies is the least of what China should be concerned about.

Update: Yup .... this sums up why China will fail .... Pakistan can't afford China's 'friendship' (C. Christine Fair, Foreign Policy).