Reuters: Pakistan says U.S. must not make it a 'scapegoat' for Afghan failures
KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan rejected on Wednesday U.S. criticism of its efforts to fight terrorism saying it should not be used as a scapegoat for the failure of the U.S. military to win the war in Afghanistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his policy for Afghanistan on Monday, committing to an open-ended conflict there and singling out Pakistan for harboring Afghan Taliban insurgents and other militants.
U.S. officials later warned that aid to Pakistan might be cut and Washington might downgrade nuclear-armed Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally to pressure it to do more to help bring about an end to America's longest-running war.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif added his voice to a chorus of indignation in Pakistan over the U.S. criticism, reiterating Pakistan's denial that it harbors militants.
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Previous Post: President Trump Points A Finger At Pakistan For Not Putting Pressure On Islamist Militants (August 22, 2017).
WNU Editor: What has rattled Pakistan is this .... Trump’s Request for India’s Help in Afghanistan Rattles Pakistan (NYT). The friend of my enemy is my enemy .... this is how Pakistan is going to view this U.S. request for India's assistance in Afghanistan. Here is an easy prediction .... U.S. - Pakistan relations are going to get worse, and I will not be surprised if Pakistan's support for these militant groups is increased. But what is really going to get Pakistan riled up is if this happens .... US May Sanction Pakistani Officials Over Ties to ‘Terrorists’ (TOLO News). As to what is my point of view .... there is a lot of truth in this commentary .... U.S. Calls Pakistan on its Double-Game (Bennett Seftel, Cipher Brief).
