ISLAMABAD – It’s has not been since very long ago, that the heap ofvituperation is being poured in the persona of PM Khan when he explored themyth called U-turn. The print and electronic media abuzz with Khan’sknockers pooh-poohed him for his irrational justification of acontroversial locution.
But now what they say about world superpower President’s mammoth U-turn inwhich he says: “We want to have a great relationship with Pakistan…So, Ilook forward to meeting with the folks from—and the new leadership inPakistan, we’ll be doing that in the not-too-distant future.”
If the history is any reminder, President Trump has incessantly been verybitching toward Pakistan for harboring terrorists—a charge Pakistan denies.He sidelined Pakistan in his “New South Asia Policy” declared in November2017. Announcing the initial halt of funds in Jan.2018, Trump accusedIslamabad of rewarding past U.S. aid with “nothing but lies and deceit.”
Trump’s admin canceled $300M aid to Pakistan over terror record: theproposed cuts marked a new low in what’re already deteriorating relationswith the U.S. long-term ally. In Nov.2018, President Trump had a twitterspat with PM Khan where both Khan defended baseless accusations and askedTrump to not to seek resort of the defeat in Afghanistan in this way.
Now what happened that Trump is instantly cozying up with Pakistan? Notonly he is looking forward for a constructive meeting with Pakistan’s newleadership but also Indian PM Modi is the latest subject of Trump’s mockeryfor funding a library in Afghanistan. While unveiling the general contentsof his meeting with Modi, Trump said, “Modi keeps redundant that Indiafunded a library in Afghanistan. You know what that’s?
That is like 5 hours of what we spend.” He further said, “And we aresupposed to say, ‘Oh, thank you for the library.’ I don’t know who is usingit in Afghanistan.”
Trump’s recent abhorrence toward Modi hints at American enduringfrustration in Afghanistan. The U.S. strategic coterie is mindful of thefact that it’s only Pakistan that can help them out to exit from Afghanimbroglio. Indian role in Afghanistan is one of bad hat as it hasorchestrated lethal hybrid warfare inside Pakistan.
Indian subversive activities get Pakistan defensive along Durand linewhile leaving Tehrik-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) roam free to wreak havocon Americans.
Now while there are five stakeholders who share the goal of bringing an endto the U.S. longest war in Afghanistan; there are also three allies ofconvenience to perpetuate Afghan war.
Former includes Russia, China, the U.S., Pakistan and Taliban. While latterwho have growing appetite for war are: New Delhi, Kabul, and to some extentTehran as to all three Taliban qua juggernaut are unacceptable.
It’s actually American chronic tiredness that Trump announced reducing the14,000 American forces in Afghanistan by half, days after the meetingbetween the Taliban and U.S officials in Abu Dhabi.
Trump’s announcement procured Taliban’s willingness to eventually talk tothe Kabul government after reaching an agreement with the U.S.
While long shadows of winters unremittingly hovering over dubious electoralprospect as a consequence of which Afghan presidential elections arepostponed until July 20. The inclination is obvious: the bonhomie withTaliban to secure the safe USA exit.
In sum, Pakistan is actively trying to persuade Taliban to end two-decadelong deadly conflict. China, Russia, and even the KSA along with the UAEwant Pakistan’s proactive role in peace efforts.
And what does now Uncle Sam need to do: nothing but to stretch the rub ofcongeniality over its old ally’s back. Only this cozying up can emanateTrump’s ‘plausible deniability’, which’s what he needs for re-election.
BY: Ali Abbas