NDTV: With China Support -And Its $50 Billion - Pak Can Ignore Trump's Warning
Donald Trump outlined an open-ended commitment to the conflict in Afghanistan that pledged more troops and diplomatic outreach to the Taliban.
A key plank of U.S. President Donald Trump's new strategy to turn around the 16-year conflict in Afghanistan will probably falter for a reason few of his voters would realize: China.
On Monday, Trump outlined an open-ended commitment to the conflict in Afghanistan that pledged more troops and diplomatic outreach to the Taliban. Importantly, Trump publicly tried to pressure Pakistan to end safe havens for terrorists who are striking at Afghanistan. A day later, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson followed up Trump's comments, adding that Pakistan "must adopt a different approach."
But this aspect of the Afghan strategy is likely to founder because of China's increasingly close economic ties with Pakistan, which reduces American leverage.
Read more ....
Update #1: Pakistan rejects Trump’s allegation of harboring militants (Washington Post/AP)
Update #2: Respect Pakistan's sovereignty, security concerns: China to US (Deccan Herald)
WNU Editor: China's "Silk Road' project will involve the investment of hundreds of billions of dollars .... and the reward will be trillions in trade over decades .... a portion of which will go through Pakistan. The U.S. is only offering war and conflict. Faced with these two choices, it is obvious which choice Pakistan will take.
8 comments:
Seems like China "wins" Pakistan. Dang.
Can we throw in Afghanistan?
JimBrown.
The Washington establishment and media are missing the big picture. They are focused on Afghanistan (as they should), but events surrounding Afghanistan is going to change what happens in Afghanistan .... whether the Taliban/Afghan government/or the U.S. favours it or not.
WNU,
Now the Chinese have surely offered to clean up Pakistan's water supply (out of the goodness of their heart of course). All seriousness aside, I think it would be a grave mistake for China to move into Pakistan and replace the US. It would tie them financially into an area that is iffy to say the least. The financial commitment would almost demand a military presence. The Chinese have shown absolutely no skill at this type of relationship. Also the two cultures are as unlike as Western and Pakistani cultures have shown to be.
In my view, what is driving Pakistan and China towards each other is that they share a common enemy: India. India is not prepared to cede hegemony to China in South Asia, and those countries have a disputed border, over which they fought a war in the 1960s. This site has reported recent skirmishes along China's border with India. India and Pakistan likewise have border and religious disputes, and have fought at least three wars since partition in 1947.
The USA has tense relations with both China and Pakistan at the moment, and I agree with WNU Editor that China's spending in Pakistan will encourage cooperation between them. I think India will likely move a little toward more cooperation with the USA in light of Pakistan's drift toward China.
I agree with James that Pakistan and China are, culturally, utterly unlike. Having said that, I think China and Pakistan will view their relationship in traditional "nation state" terms, so the cultural differences can be managed so long as both countries share strategic interests.
Publius,
" I think China and Pakistan will view their relationship in traditional "nation state" terms, so the cultural differences can be managed so long as both countries share strategic interests."
Maybe so, I just think that China hasn't shown enough of that ability in foreign affairs for me to agree. It's one of those wait and see deals. I can't imagine India sitting still and letting China establish a sea lane to the south and land communications to the northwest, in essence encircling India without some type of strong response.
The United States played the India card and Pakistan played the China card. Hmmm.
And the Vietnam card, The Phillipines Card, The Burmese card.
I cannot see Laos as being much of a card.
Ditto Thailand. Thailand is big (ish) for the region considering Laos or Burma, but is has problems
It is more interesting what Iran or Russia would do.
There were unequal treaties with the British concerning India and China.
Russia also had unequal treaties with China. China was ruled by the Qing Dynasty at the time. The Russians took part of the Manchu homeland. The Qing only relinquished that land due to force.
historyfacebook.wikispaces.com/Qing+Dynasty
If China gets what it wants in the South China Sea, Taiwan, border with India, Korean policy, where will they look next?
As long as the neighbors are Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia, we will be a target for violent opposition vis a vis the "taliban."
I look at Afghanistan and see a land locked trap.
Maybe the president will return to his original gut instinct once the military does not deliver,
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