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Pakistan Is 'Too Big To Fail'

Negative feelings pervade both sides of U.S.-Pakistan relationship

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Pakistan is an experiment that has failed. Its basis of foundation i.e. 2 nation theory was discredited in 1971 when the MAJORITY got rid of the MINORITY. Probably no other example of such a thing even happening in human history. Genocide in East Pakistan is a chilling example of what WILL happen if things go unchecked. Pakistan is run by its Punjab province in terms of its army, and most of its politicians and beaurocrats . Punjab is the real master, who ever doesn't think or behave like the punjabi's are 2nd class citizens in their own country.

SK 1:16PM June 24, 2012

US was paying 1b year to Pakistan to catch Bin Laden. Do you think they were interested to help to catch him if they understood that with catching him 1b will go away at some point? and this is only money side of the game

Stranger of AZ 1:44AM November 25, 2011

Classic double cross by Pakistan (a BBC Documentary):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YFbnpyiceY&feature=related

AK of MD 12:54AM October 29, 2011

Gibe me 1 good reason why would Pakistan do anything different? This duplicity is their major & only source of income whether from US or the EXPATS. US on the other hand is deliberately/willfully loosing its resources to a slimy and cunning ARMY.

Kaafir 2:22PM October 28, 2011

America, we owe it to our brave troops for fighting Pakistan based terrorists in Af-Pak for our freedom and safety here at home, to call your Congressman today to STOP ALL FINANCIAL AND MILITARY AID TO PAKISTAN NOW! Let’s set the record straight. Pakistan brutally slaughtered Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg (pregnant) at Chabad House only because they were Jews. Pakistan backstabbed the U.S. by giving shelter to Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Pakistan killed Daniel Pearl and Saleem Shahzad, both innocent journalists. Pakistan rapes and kills Christians and minorities on regular basis. Nearly all terrorist plots and terrorists arrested in the U.S. are in some way connected to Pakistan. Pakistan supported 9/11/2001 attacks on our nation. Pakistan breeds Islamic terrorism as state policy. Pakistan proliferates Nuclear technology. Pakistan is a terrorist haven not an ally. Pakistan elite loot US aid for military and personal use regularly and their illiterate masses resort to the killing and destruction of all that is not Islamic or Muslim i.e. JIHAD as their highest goal in life. Pakistan will never change. Pakistan is a monstrous failed experiment, propped up artificially with and by the U.S. support and aid.

The State Department and the White House must stop all military and financial aid to Pakistan, the facilitators and killers of 1,900 American troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 Americans on 9/11. Pakistan attacked our embassy in Kabul and they shot down and killed the U.S. Navy seal team helicopter in Afghanistan. Latest poll indicate nearly all Pakistanis are in denial of these plain facts.

Mr. Obama, please stop funding the killers of our sons and daughters in service.

Maplesyrup of MI 9:05AM October 28, 2011

Brian,

1. "And those (negative) feelings (between the US and Pakistan) are mutual. "

AA: Distrust is generally reflexive - distrust tends to beget distrust. It is a logical fallcy to think that legitimacy of distrust is reflexive as well.

2. Would be nice if you could explain the two axioms:

(Pakistan) "... offers tremendous potential for playing a more constructive role in its region.

AA: What constructive role can Pakistan play in the region? What constructive role Pakistan has played in the past? What has changed externally that prevents it from playing that constructive role now? What has changed internally that prevents it from playing that constructive role now?

"A sustainable peace in Afghanistan is impossible without Pakistan."

AA: Why is that so? Will Pakistan prevent peace from taking hold in Afghanistan?

"Terrorist groups have killed tens of thousands of innocent Pakistanis over the last decade."

AA: I do not have much sympathy for those who breed posionous snakes in their own backyard. Do you? Or perhaps you think the terrorists in Pakistan are not an extension of the state itself but have actually come from Pluto?

"Pakistanis have suffered from a leadership deficit in its government ..."

AA: Nonsense. Pakistan has had a fair number of coups as well as "democratic governments" run by leaders of the two major political parties in that country. All military coups were widely welcomed by the Pakistani society. If despite that Pakistani people appear to suffer then it is not the leaders that have to be blamed but the people themselves. They have tried it all and got it all and what the Pakistani people manage to throw up into the hallowed circles of power are people who are just like themselves.

"sustained U.S. engagement, as difficult as it seems, can help Pakistan address its many threats and challenges."

AA: Perhaps the US is more interested in helping her own citizens who lack medical coverage, who have lost jobs and whose houses are being repossessed. But perhaps not - the US might well chose to expend the money into sustaining her relationship with Pakistan. As a sovereign, the US indeed has that right over the choices she makes.

Amit Agarwal 8:29AM October 28, 2011

Interesting article

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Ayatollah Bromeini of DC 2:50AM October 28, 2011

Yes Pakistan is too big to fail but its elite are too corrupt to allow it to stand on its own feet. We have earned this nation after too many sacrifices. We wouldn't let it fail come what may. But the Pakistani youth must unite and stand against these tyrants and only then it will be possible for them to look into the yes of Americans and negotiate on equal terms. It's time for Americans also to review their foreign policy and stop intimidating smaller nations. Help us to solve our problems with respect and dignity. Stop supporting corrupt officilas and politicians and help our democracy to flourish without interruption. Slow and steady we will be a better nation - a proud nation. add comment.

Pakistan may be a heaven for terrorists but maligning Pakistan, its army and its Intellegence Agencies is not the right way to treat friends.The situation will not change as long as we are governed by our shameless politicians.

Mehboob Alam of SD 2:19AM October 28, 2011

The allies and enemies are created out of situation. Pakistan was an ally as long as Soviet Union was an enemy. The reality is Pakistan is not an ally after the chapter of Soviet. But US and Pakistan believed their friendship is forever.

Had US and Pakistan broke the friendship and treated each other like any other country, they wouldn't be fighting like this.

Even now Pakistan is not an enemy. It is just not an ally anymore. The problem is each of them believe they are doing something for their friend, but the friend is not reciprocating. The truth is both wants to push their own agenda. The agenda is not common anymore.

Thinker of CA 1:34AM October 28, 2011