Asim Munir in Washington: What's behind the U.S.-Pakistan reset?
ANI Asim Munir (File Photo)
Pakistan's de facto ruler, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is scheduled to arrive in Washington DC on Thursday. Munir will attend a military parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. This visit comes after US-Pakistan relations have stayed still for the past 15 years under three different administrations– Obama, Trump 1st term and Biden
Donald Trump's stance on Pakistan has softened in the second term, contrasting with his harsh criticism during his first term when he accused Pakistan of harbouring terrorists and suspended $1.3 billion in security assistance.
Munir has been invited by the US Central Command (Centcom) commander, General Michael Kurilla, who recently praised Pakistan as a 'phenomenal partner' in counter-terrorism during a congressional hearing.
To understand the reasons behind the sudden change in US attitude towards Pakistan we will have to go back in time and focus on two men– Mohammed Zia ul-Haq Zia and Pervez Musharraf.
Mohammed Zia ul-Haq ZiaIn a telegram sent by the US embassy in Pakistan to the US State Department in 1980, it was mentioned that the administration made Zia wait three years before meeting US President Jimmy Carter due to disagreements over certain issues.In the following year, The New York Times published an article titled– The World; Pakistan takes aid on its terms. It was reported that after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 the Jimmy Carter administration offered an aid of $400 million spread over two years which was dismissed by Zia as 'peanuts'. The Carter administration was succeeded by the Reagan administration which after negotiations with the Pakistani President agreed to a whopping $3.2 billion aid which included the sale of the 40 F-16 fighter aircrafts of which six were to be delivered within a year. The US Congress also made changes to a few laws which barred countries suspected of developing a nuclear bomb. The country was also allowed to have American weapons and still not be compelled to join a US led security alliance in order to preserve its ' non aligned' status.The US Congress later blocked the sale of 28 fighters due to Pakistan's growing nuclear programme and Musharraf's rise to power
Pervez Musharraf According to the Arms Control Association, the US also put forward to help Pakistan secure its nuclear weapons and nuclear facilities, a proposal to which the former Pakistan FM said ' Who would refuse.' It was offered in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.Secretary of State Colin Powell offered to invite Pakistani officials 'to see how safety and security is ensured in the United States,' he admitted this in a television interview.Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Pakistan became a key ally in the U.S.-led War on Terror. The U.S. provided Pakistan with over $10 billion in military and economic aid between 2001 and 2008, including Coalition Support Funds (CSF) to reimburse Pakistan for counterterrorism operations and logistical support for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
The aid facilitated the acquisition of advanced military equipment, such as F-16 fighter jets, enhancing Pakistan's defence capabilities In recognition of Pakistan's support in the War on Terror, the U.S. designated Pakistan as a "Major Non-NATO Ally" in 2004. This status provided Pakistan with preferential access to U.S. military technology and assistance according to Arab News. The U.S. provided Pakistan with debt relief and economic assistance, including a $3 billion aid package and $1 billion in loan forgiveness in 2003, to bolster Pakistan's economy. Before 9/11 Pakistan used to be a world pariah: censured and sanctioned for its nuclear ambitions, which culminated in five successful nuclear tests announced on May 28, 1998 according to a report by Council on Foreign Affairs, a US based thinktank.Musharraf also leveraged U.S. support to improve Pakistan's global image, portraying the country as a key ally in the fight against terrorism and a moderate Muslim who was fighting against radicals in Pakistan.(With inputs from TOI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
An arena for Islamabad to do grandstanding
Pakistan will assume the presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in July, for one month. However, in the run-up to the presidency, there has been much consternation in the Indian media about Pakistan becoming one of the three vice-chairs of UNSC's Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CTC). Algeria will remain the CTC chair till the end of 2025, and Pakistan wants to become the chair in 2026. Even though Pakistan unwisely held up the work of other UNSC Committees for a full five months just to get this express commitment for 2026 — similar to the dispensation India got in 2021 — the P-5 (permanent five members of UNSC) still would not agree to give Pakistan any such commitment. When India wanted to be the CTC chair during its term at UNSC between 2021-2022, there was no vacancy in 2021 since the chair, Tunisia, still had one year to go. Normally, the chair would then have gone to those members elected for 2022-2023, and India would have missed the chance. However, the UNSC, and more importantly, the P-5 (which included China), gave an express commitment to India in 2021 that it would be the CTC chair for 2022. Needless to add, India made an impact by bringing the entire CTC Committee in 2022 to visit the venue of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and chairing a special CTC session in New Delhi. Pakistan wanted a similar express commitment for the CTC chair in 2026, which was refused by the Council. This is not to say that it won't get the chair in 2026, but it will have five other newly elected member-States competing for the post. The P-5 also rightly, and outrightly, rejected Pakistan's demand to chair the 1267 sanctions committee dealing with al-Qaeda and ISIL (Da'esh), since the 1267 sanctions list is peppered with the names of Pakistani terrorists and terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed and the masterminds of the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan had to settle for the 1988 Taliban sanctions committee which has now become a mere shell of its former self after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021. Though some Taliban ministers are still on the sanctions list, they have been continuously given waivers from sanctions to perform their functions. If Pakistan thinks that it can arm-twist the Taliban as the chair, it is sadly mistaken. That said, the focus is on Pakistan's UNSC presidency in July. Its presidency comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, with a civilian government fattened by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other loans and a military establishment receiving arms from China and Turkey. Since it is Islamabad's only presidency, during its term, it will go for the 'jugular vein' — borrowing a phrase from its much-decorated army chief. During its presidency, Pakistan can be expected to do all it can to have an open debate on Jammu and Kashmir to do some grandstanding on the world stage. It would ideally prefer this under an anachronistically titled agenda item, 'The India-Pakistan question'. However, the P-5 nations have allowed only closed consultations under this agenda item in the recent past. Since Pakistan is adamant about an open discussion, it may settle for another agenda item 'peaceful resolution of conflicts' which would, however, dilute the focus given there are enough conflicts around the world. Of course, technically any decision for an open or closed session can be challenged and voted on, for which nine affirmative votes out of 15 members are required (since vetoes do not apply to procedural votes). But Pakistan is mindful of the fact that contrary to what it is trying to project, there is really no appetite in the international community to internationalise the Kashmir issue. Moreover, while Indians like to portray any call for de-escalation as a hyphenation of India and Pakistan, this hyphenation is more in our minds and not in those who call for de-escalation. The world knows better. On the Indus Water Treaty, even before India held it in abeyance after the Pahalgam attacks, Pakistan had declared its intention to make it an issue during its presidency. After consistently thwarting India's attempt to renegotiate this lopsided treaty, it will take the matter to the UNSC citing breach of security. There is a precedence of UNSC presidential statements being adopted earlier, on the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that was contested by Egypt fearing decreased flow of Nile waters from Ethiopia. Any UNSC statement will require the concurrence of all 15 member-States. Further, a Pakistani focus on combatting terrorism and Islamophobia is inevitable, in the country's attempt to wipe away the stains of being a State sponsor of terrorism. A session on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is on the cards to burnish Pakistan's Islamic credentials. The Gaza war and Israeli-Iran conflict will receive attention. So will UN peacekeeping, since Pakistan is a major troop-contributing country. While our multiparty delegations have visited UNSC countries, multilateral issues have dynamics of their own. Close bilateral friendship with a country does not necessarily translate into greater multilateral cooperation at the UN. India will no doubt keep a close eye on what the US and the UK do in July, given recent American flip-flops on Pakistan and the UK's ambivalent postures in UNSC. Further, given India's geopolitical distancing from recent conflicts around the world — in its national interest — we should be prepared for similar reactions towards India when we need them. Given our standing, the world now expects us to get geopolitically involved in their problems as well. As I have argued before, it is time for India to take its right geopolitical place — regionally and globally. Pakistan's presidency also comes during the monsoon session of our Parliament. One hopes that we in India treat Pakistan's grandstanding with a sense of perspective and equanimity. No UNSC document can threaten the national interests of India. TS Tirumurti is a former ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York. The views expressed are personal
Economic Times
18 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Israel's Operation Rising Lion lays bare Iran's nuclear web: Satellite images reveal direct strikes that Tehran won't admit
Reuters A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility after airstrike in Iran in this handout image dated June 14, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS In one of the most direct attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure to date, Israel's military has targeted key facilities with precision airstrikes, according to satellite imagery analysed by The Associated Press and Maxar Technologies . Images taken after the strikes reveal widespread destruction at some of Iran's most sensitive nuclear and ballistic missile sites, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Damage is clearly visible at the sprawling Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, located southwest of Tehran. Multiple buildings at the site were either damaged or completely destroyed, including structures reportedly supplying power to centrifuge halls. While the underground enrichment units appear untouched for now, analysts warn that any disruption to their power supply could critically damage uranium centrifuges. Planet Labs imagery also revealed large burn marks at a missile base in Kermanshah, built against a mountainside, and visible strike damage at another base in Tabriz, both in western Iran. Also Read: Israel just hit Iran's wallet: Has World War 3 entered the energy stage with attack on Iran's South Pars gas field?The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed it had launched coordinated airstrikes across Iran under Operation Rising Lion. 'Throughout the night, Israeli Air Force fighter jets flew over Tehran, attacking infrastructure and targets related to Iran's nuclear project,' the IDF said in a statement. About 50 fighter jets reportedly participated in the mission, with more than 80 strategic targets hit. These included the Iranian Ministry of Defence headquarters, the Sepand complex associated with nuclear research, and locations where Israel claims Iran hid nuclear IDF said the strikes aimed to 'strip [Iran] of vital weapons production capabilities and components.' Iran has acknowledged Israeli strikes in the region but not the scale of the damage. Iranian authorities confirmed 78 people were killed and 320 wounded in the initial wave of Israeli attacks. Among the dead are several top nuclear scientists and commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In retaliation, Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, killing 13 people and injuring at least 180. Six civilians, including two children, were killed in Bat Yam near Tel Aviv. In the northern city of Tamra, four more people, including a teenager, lost their lives. Tehran's response came with a warning. A statement from Iran's Revolutionary Guards declared that 'sites used by Israeli aircraft for refuelling' had been struck. It added, 'If attacks continue, we will respond more fiercely and more broadly.' Also Read: Has the stealthy F-35 met its match? Iran claims capture of Israeli pilots amid reports of third jet shoot-downIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear the campaign was far from over. 'This is nothing compared to what they will feel under the sway of our forces in the coming days,' he directly addressed Iranian citizens, saying, 'Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near. And when that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again.'Netanyahu added that Israel would never allow 'the world's most dangerous regime' to possess 'the world's most dangerous weapons.' The Natanz facility – long seen as Iran's central enrichment site – suffered the most visible damage. Satellite images showed fires near the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP), while reports suggest the main underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) may still be operational. But experts say that if power to the underground site has been cut, centrifuge damage may be Technologies' high-resolution images revealed multiple destroyed or burning structures. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed that a 'key, above-ground component' at Natanz had been IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, condemned the targeting of nuclear sites, warning that such attacks could have 'grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond.' He added that no radiation leaks had yet been Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), a Washington-based think tank, said the loss of power to the enrichment site could severely disrupt Iran's nuclear operations. Also Read: 'This is how World War III begins': As missiles rain on Tel Aviv, analysts say the next strike could drag the world in Iran's nuclear programme has grown in scale and secrecy. Beyond Natanz, satellite images show possible strike damage at the Fordow fuel enrichment plant, the IRGC's Ghadir site, and the Piranshahr nuclear Fordow plant is buried deep in the mountains near Qom and is believed to house over 1,000 centrifuges, including IR-6 machines capable of enriching uranium to 60% purity. Its deep underground location makes it one of Iran's most fortified facilities. At the Isfahan site, a Uranium Conversion Facility processes yellowcake into gaseous uranium hexafluoride – the feedstock for enrichment. In recent years, Iran has doubled its number of IR-6 centrifuges here. Other facilities include Khondab near Arak, which once housed a plutonium-producing reactor now rendered inoperable, and the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the south, operated with Russian insists its nuclear activities are for civilian use. But Israeli and Western officials remain unconvinced. The IAEA has estimated Iran has accumulated enough uranium enriched to 60% purity to make several nuclear bombs if further refined to 90%.As recently as early 2024, experts warned that Iran's nuclear 'breakout time' – the time required to produce one nuclear weapon – had shrunk from over a year to just a few Israel views these developments as an existential threat, Iran sees its nuclear programme as a skies lit up with explosions early Friday morning. Air raid sirens rang out. In the Chitgar district, thick smoke rose into the air, although no known nuclear facilities exist Iran and Israel closed their airspace following the strikes. Emergency protocols were activated on all a stark warning, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said, 'Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.'As satellite images continue to surface, they show the cost of the most extensive Israeli operation on Iranian soil in years. The campaign has shaken regional stability and triggered fears of wider powers have urged restraint, with Washington walking a diplomatic tightrope. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the United States bears responsibility, accusing it of a 'partnership in aggression.'The strikes may have slowed Iran's nuclear progress, but they have also hardened resolve in Tehran. With no ceasefire in sight, the region braces for the next move in a dangerous game of escalation.
NDTV
20 minutes ago
- NDTV
US-China Trade Talks Leave Military-Use Rare Earth Issue Unsettled: Sources
Beijing: The renewed US-China trade truce struck in London left a key area of export restrictions tied to national security untouched, an unresolved conflict that threatens a more comprehensive deal, two people briefed on detailed outcomes of the talks told Reuters. Beijing has not committed to grant export clearance for some specialized rare-earth magnets that US military suppliers need for fighter jets and missile systems, the people said. The United States maintains export curbs on China's purchases of advanced artificial intelligence chips out of concern that they also have military applications. At talks in London last week, China's negotiators appeared to link progress in lifting export controls on military-use rare earth magnets with the longstanding US curbs on exports of the most advanced AI chips to China. That marked a new twist in trade talks that began with opioid trafficking, tariff rates and China's trade surplus, but have since shifted to focus on export controls. In addition, US officials also signalled they are looking to extend existing tariffs on China for a further 90 days beyond the August 10 deadline agreed in Geneva last month, both sources said, suggesting a more permanent trade deal between the world's two largest economies is unlikely before then. The two people who spoke to Reuters about the London talks requested not to be named because both sides have tightly controlled disclosure. The White House, State Department and Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China's Foreign and Commerce ministries did not respond to faxed requests for comment. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the handshake deal reached in London between American and Chinese negotiators was a "great deal," adding, "we have everything we need, and we're going to do very well with it. And hopefully they are too." And US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there would be no "quid pro quo" on easing curbs on exports of AI chips to China in exchange for access to rare earths. China Chokehold But China's chokehold on the rare earth magnets needed for weapons systems remains a potential flashpoint. China dominates global production of rare earths and holds a virtual monopoly on refining and processing. A deal reached in Geneva last month to reduce bilateral tariffs from crushing triple-digit levels had faltered over Beijing's restrictions on critical minerals exports that took shape in April. That prompted the Trump administration to respond with export controls preventing shipments of semiconductor design software, jet engines for Chinese-made planes and other goods to China. At the London talks, China promised to fast-track approval of rare-earth export applications from non-military US manufacturers out of the tens of thousands currently pending, one of the sources said. Those licenses will have a six-month term. Beijing also offered to set up a "green channel" for expediting license approvals from trusted US companies. Initial signals were positive, with Chinese rare-earths magnet producer JL MAG Rare-Earth, saying on Wednesday it had obtained export licences that included the United States, while China's Commerce Ministry confirmed it had approved some "compliant applications" for export licences. But China has not budged on specialized rare earths, including samarium, which are needed for military applications and are outside the fast-track agreed in London, the two people said. Automakers and other manufacturers largely need other rare earth magnets, including dysprosium and terbium. Big Issues Remain The rushed trade meeting in London followed a call last week between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump said US tariffs would be set at 55% for China, while China had agreed to 10% from the United States. Trump initially imposed tariffs on China as punishment for its massive trade surplus to the United States and over what he says is Beijing's failure to stem the flow of the powerful opioid fentanyl into the US Chinese analysts are pessimistic about the likelihood of further breakthroughs before the August 10 deadline agreed in Geneva. "Temporary mutual accommodation of some concerns is possible but the fundamental issue of the trade imbalance cannot be resolved within this timeframe, and possibly during Trump's remaining term," said Liu Weidong, a US-China expert at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. An extension of the August deadline could allow the Trump administration more time to establish an alternative legal claim for setting higher tariffs on China under the Section 301 authority of the USTR in case Trump loses the ongoing legal challenge to the tariffs in US court, one of the people with knowledge of the London talks said. The unresolved issues underscore the difficulty the Trump administration faces in pushing its trade agenda with China because of Beijing's control of rare earths and its willingness to use that as leverage with Washington, said Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution. "It has taken the Trump team a few punches in the nose to recognise that they will no longer be able to secure another trade agreement with China that disproportionately addresses Trump's priorities," Hass said.
