- US Senate hearings echo concerns on Pakistan
President Trump has finally begun to make appointments against a large number of important offices both in the Departments of State (DOS) and Defense (DOD). On 16 November 2017, Senate Armed Services Committee held confirmation hearings for two key nominees of the president for the DOD, namely John Rood, Under Secretary for Defense Policy (USDP), third most senior position, and Randall Schriver, Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs.
John Rood, a veteran of previous Republican administrations, senate staffer and a senior private sector defense industry executive, had a long hearing as his responsibilities warranted a comprehensive assessment of his views on defense policy on the full spectrum of threats facing the US and its readiness to deal with them. His confirmation was stalled when he failed to assure Senator Elizabeth Warren that he would recuse himself when matters of foreign military sales would come before him since his last employer Lockheed Martin would be an inevitable beneficiary of such policies.
For us, the hearings mattered as the nominees expressed their views on the war in Afghanistan, Trump’s new Afghanistan and South Asia Policy, and Pakistan’s role in these. It may be recalled that the Committee has been restless with the Trump administration in this critical area, as it took them a long time to announce the new policy. At one point the chairman, Senator John McCain threatened the administration to bring his own bill on the Senate floor to force the administration to deploy more troops in Afghanistan. In fact, part of the delay in these appointments was due to McCain’s temporary hold on the process as he was not getting the desired briefing on war plans from secretary defense.
The nominees assured the committee they would work for the success of the new policy. They supported regionalisation of efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The following quotes, as reported by the Press Trust of India, reflect the mood during the hearings:
Rood: Ultimately, we in the United States, have got to make it clear to the Pakistani government that we can’t tolerate that sort of support that will undermine our efforts in Afghanistan where our troops have been fighting and we’ve had over 2,000 of our Americans killed in that conflict; Pakistan is sheltering the Taliban and Haqqani network had been “a real undercut” to the US’s efforts in Afghanistan; and unfortunately, this is a problem that’s persisted really over the 16 years of that conflict, a very stubborn problem to solve; So, in addition to the US, involving a larger number of partners in a discussion with Pakistan is one potential avenue that may produce results.
McCain: Over the years I have developed an excellent relationship with many friends in Pakistan. But there’s going to come a time where we have to tell them they have to choose and, of course, Chinese influence is increasing and as you know there is further turmoil that is ongoing as we speak. This is a very, very, very, complex and difficult challenge we’re facing, but we’ve tried everything that I know of, besides saying, “Look, you either help us or we’re going to have to change our relationship”.
Schriver: If confirmed, I would review what steps the US, particularly the Department of Defence, could take to convince Pakistan to cut off support and sanctuary for militant and terrorist groups. I understand that the US seeks a constructive relationship with Pakistan that advances mutual interests, such as defeating ISIS and al Qaeda, but we also have serious concerns about Pakistan’s expanding its nuclear programme and providing safe-haven for militant groups in its territory.”
The views and comments expressed in the hearings are yet another pointer that the Afghan policy is formulated and implemented by DOD and National Security Council (NSC). David Ignatius of Washington Post claims “Rex Tillerson has a secret weapon in Jim Mattis, who respects Tillerson’s judgment and stays aligned with him through all the palace intrigue. Trump may not be a soul mate of his secretary of state, but he’s not going to pick a fight with Mattis”. Well, that may be true, but when it comes to Afghan policy, Tillerson has sublet it to Mattis. His partners are General McMaster (NSA) and NSC staffer on South Asia, Lisa Curtis. Unfortunately, their inimical disposition toward Pakistan is palpable.
How times change. There was a time in Pak-US relation when it was built on a genuine appreciation and commitment of the two defense establishments. The first time this was undercut in a big way was soon after the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. It was followed by President Clinton’s two terms presidency that completely ignored Pakistan’s contributions in winning the cold war. The State Department took the charge and shifted the focus to Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs and pressing for unilateral signing (without India) of both the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT). After Pakistan’s refusal, it was subjected to all types of sanctions.
After 9/11, Pakistan played the most critical role in enabling the US operations in Afghanistan, sincerely[AZ1] embracing a frontline role in the war on terror. The present defense establishment could not have found their bearings on the ground, as they themselves have acknowledged in their reports they filed at the time, but for the support of Pakistan army and navy. Down the line, when the US kept changing its objectives (from evicting al Qaeda to nation-building to fight to deny Taliban victory and now fight to stay in Afghanistan indefinitely) in Afghanistan, there was a rupture in the trust between the two sides. With the onset of serious opposition and resistance to its, the US is constantly blaming Pakistan for its failures in Afghanistan. The very personnel who were guided and steered to find their bearings in the Pak-Afghan theatre, after reaching the leadership position are now in charge of Pak-US relations, to the exclusion of State Department, albeit with a hostile posture. In another hearing in early October, Mattis said that we are giving another chance to Pakistan. If it fails, we would then place a set of options before the president to take action against Pakistan. One cannot be more explicit in threatening another sovereign, an act prohibited under the UN Charter.
How times change. There was a time in Pak-US relation when it was built on a genuine appreciation and commitment of the two defense establishments
Mr Rood highlighted 2,000 causalities of American soldiers, but is oblivious of the 70,000 Pakistanis that have died since the start of war on terror, not to mention the treasure of more than $100 billion in direct costs and countless indirect costs in the form of massive dislocation and disruption of our economy.
In this space, we have been keenly reflecting on the positions of Senator McCain and we have no doubt that he is a friend of Pakistan. But he continues to believe in a military solution of the conflict as well as that the US failure is due to Pakistan’s lack of cooperation and safe heavens in its territory. He is also concerned about rising Chinese influence in Pakistan.
While we have utmost respect for the Senator, we feel that he is not giving due weight to Pakistan’s repeated denial of such allegations, the phenomenal efforts it has expended in completely clearing the tribal area, the loss of many army officers and soldiers in recent days and constant incursions in Pakistan of militants who have escaped to Afghanistan and are operating from safe heavens in Afghanistan. He should ask the administration how would the situation in Afghanistan improve by accepting a role for India, when there is mounting evidence that India is basically using its presence to destabilise Pakistan in the largest province of Balochistan and the main business city of Karachi? Additionally, rather than pressing India to relent on its brutal repression of Kashmiri Muslims, the US is nudging Pakistan to stop supporting the freedom movement. Finally, the rising Chinese influence cannot be faulted when the US proudly announces its natural and strategic partnership with India even when it may not be beneficial to its own interests in Afghanistan, which would call for greater understanding with Pakistan.
Pakistan doesn’t want to invite American ire but it has its red lines, which it would not let anybody to cross. Equitable and fair treatment, in an atmosphere of trust and respect, is essential to elicit Pakistan’s support. In its absence, it would be unwise to expect that Pakistan would acquiesce to American demands.
