International News
See other International News Articles
Title: Pakistan Courts China as US Announces Military Aid Cuts
Source:
ANTIWAR.COM
URL Source: http://news.antiwar.com/2011/07/10/ ... s-announces-military-aid-cuts/
Published: Jul 11, 2011
Author: Jason Ditz
Post Date: 2011-07-11 12:58:31 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 898
Comments: 2
Yesterday’s announcement that the US is withdrawing some $800 million in military aid from Pakistan looks to do more serious harm to US-Pakistani relations, but if administration officials expected the “rebuke” to be met with an act of contrition from the Pakistani military, they were mistaken. But the US isn’t the only horse in the race to court the Pakistanis, and Pakistan’s military is being very plain about this fact. The military is now reporting that they are seeking even closer ties with the Chinese government, in the hopes of “filling the gap” in weapons sales that may be lost by the US. Pakistan and China have long had a solid relationship bolstered by their mutual tensions with India. It is only natural then, with China’s own ambitions for increased regional influence that they should be in the bidding to court Pakistan, particularly when the US is making it increasingly clear that their relations are at risk. Perhaps even more interesting is the blaise attitude of the US surrouding this potential loss of what has often been called a “key ally.” Both Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are visiting the region in the next few days, and neither is planning to stop off in Pakistan. Spurning such a visit is likely deliberate, particularly with regional tensions on the rise.
Rather, Pakistan’s military today insists that they don’t need the US military aid at all, and that the civilian government is the one more in need of help from abroad. Major General Athar Abbas, the military’s spokesman, also accused the US of trying to undermine the military leadership.
Subscribe to *Arab Revolution On Parade*
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
#1. To: Brian S (#0)
China has also had a tense relationship with Muslim communities within its boarders.
China fought a war with India though.
There are no replies to Comment # 2. End Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestPakistan and China have long had a solid relationship bolstered by their mutual tensions with India. It is only natural then, with China’s own ambitions for increased regional influence that they should be in the bidding to court Pakistan, particularly when the US is making it increasingly clear that their relations are at risk.
#2. To: lucysmom (#1)
Replies to Comment # 2.
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]