India-US relations: News and Discussions IV

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 24 Dec 2017 00:45

X Posted on the India-Russia News & Analysis Thread

Vow! A US-Russia "Grand" Alliance!

Russian foreign ministry says Moscow ready to cooperate with US on Afghanistan

MOSCOW: Moscow stands ready to cooperate with the United States on Afghanistan, Russia’s Foreign Ministry official said in an interview with RIA state news agency published on Saturday.

Russia maintains contacts with US acting Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells, said Zamir Kabulov, special representative to the Russian president on Afghanistan and the head of Asian region department at the Foreign Ministry.

Cheers

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 24 Dec 2017 12:52

Trump says $7 trillion ‘foolishly spent’ in Middle East

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 25 Dec 2017 01:41

NSS is a statement of US interests that restricts India to specific region & role - Dr Harinder Sekhon

The US released its National Security Strategy outlining a range of policies and priorities designed to "make America great again". In a campaign-style speech, Trump announced that "America First" would now be a major priority in American foreign policy making. A major focus of the national security strategy is on US's economic relationships with other countries, drawing attention to its trade imbalances and arguing that America's economic security is fundamental to national security.

China and Russia have drawn flak for being "revisionist" powers that seek to "make economics less free and fair... and to repress their societies and expand their influence". In his speech, Trump referred to both as "rival" powers that "challenge American power, influence and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity".

India on the other hand has been recognised as "a leading global power" and a major defence partner with which the US seeks to "deepen" its strategic partnership and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region, including South and Central Asia. India-US defence relationship is mentioned in the context of Indo-Pacific region where the US will "seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India" and set a positive "strategic direction for the US that will restore America's advantages in the world and build upon our country's great strengths". And herein lies the challenge for India.

There seem to be certain contradictions between what has been said in the document and some of the policies followed by the Trump administration. The Trump administration will therefore need to reassure that America can stand up to the values enunciated in the National Security Strategy. According to a recent Pew poll, during the past year, confidence in American leadership among the 37 countries polled, fell from 64% at the end of the Obama administration to just 22% today. 74% of these people said they have no confidence in the current US administration.

The strategy states that the US must do more to stand up to "revisionist" Russian and Chinese efforts to alter the post-war international order that was so painstakingly built by the US and its allies over the past seven decades. But in the last one year, rather than working to support those values, the Trump administration has dropped out of the global climate pact and the largest regional free-trade agreement, the TPP, disparaged and undermined America's alliances, creating uncertainties among its allies who have been asked to do more for their security. Interestingly, just a day before the release of the NSS, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss intelligence cooperation that apparently thwarted a terrorist attack in St. Petersburg. Similarly, while the text refers to Russia's meddling in the 2016 US election, Trump did not mention this in his speech. Likewise with China, the massive economic interdependence between the two countries, the signing of bilateral trade deals worth over $250 billion during Trump's recent visit to China and the need for Chinese political support in dealing with North Korea and other global challenges make it seem improbable that Trump would be able to put into practice all that has been said in the NSS.

The National Security Strategy is a statement of US interests and policies that seems to restrict India to a specific region and a specific role without addressing India's core interests. These include US role and policies in India's neighbourhood, divergent Intellectual Property Rights standards between India and the US in sharing dual-use technologies, foreign direct investment caps and toughening of H1-B visas for Indians. India, therefore, will have to carefully craft its policies and balance its priorities based on an objective assessment of its core interests and its own independent relations with both Russia and China. While India should seize the opportunities being offered by the US, it should not fall into the trap of the strategy's promotion of America's "sovereignty" over the concept of multi-polarity. The US has in the past garnered its strengths and worked with allies and partners to make America and the world stronger and safer. It remains to be seen if this document can inspire a serious introspection by the Trump administration and get rid of the contradictions in US policy.

The author is Senior Fellow, VIF

Cheers

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 26 Dec 2017 00:14

Keep saying.If we want to be respected we should chart our own course in global affairs.A country that swept through Asia through religion and culture, not as warmongering conquerors and colonialists, whose soft power is felt worldwide, must be a magnet attracting others, not constantly following the white masse in a white house.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 26 Dec 2017 00:17

Keep saying.If we want to be respected we should chart our own course in global affairs.A country that swept through Asia through religion and culture, not as warmongering conquerors and colonialists, whose soft power is felt worldwide, must be a magnet attracting others, not constantly following the white masse in a white house.

The so-called Quadilateral to contain China with India as Uncle Sam's sidekick is a nauseating thought.We need to be able to deal with our mortal enemies ourselves , both Pak and China not wanting Uncle Sam to solve our problems like the Saudis wanting the US and Europe to sort out the Middle East for Sunni Arabia!

kit · Post by **kit** » 26 Dec 2017 20:09

Peregrine wrote:NSS is a statement of US interests that restricts India to specific region & role - Dr Harinder Sekhon

The US released its National Security Strategy outlining a range of policies and priorities designed to "make America great again". In a campaign-style speech, Trump announced that "America First" would now be a major priority in American foreign policy making. A major focus of the national security strategy is on US's economic relationships with other countries, drawing attention to its trade imbalances and arguing that America's economic security is fundamental to national security.

China and Russia have drawn flak for being "revisionist" powers that seek to "make economics less free and fair... and to repress their societies and expand their influence". In his speech, Trump referred to both as "rival" powers that "challenge American power, influence and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity".

India on the other hand has been recognised as "a leading global power" and a major defence partner with which the US seeks to "deepen" its strategic partnership and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region, including South and Central Asia. India-US defence relationship is mentioned in the context of Indo-Pacific region where the US will "seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India" and set a positive "strategic direction for the US that will restore America's advantages in the world and build upon our country's great strengths". And herein lies the challenge for India.

There seem to be certain contradictions between what has been said in the document and some of the policies followed by the Trump administration. The Trump administration will therefore need to reassure that America can stand up to the values enunciated in the National Security Strategy. According to a recent Pew poll, during the past year, confidence in American leadership among the 37 countries polled, fell from 64% at the end of the Obama administration to just 22% today. 74% of these people said they have no confidence in the current US administration.

The strategy states that the US must do more to stand up to "revisionist" Russian and Chinese efforts to alter the post-war international order that was so painstakingly built by the US and its allies over the past seven decades. But in the last one year, rather than working to support those values, the Trump administration has dropped out of the global climate pact and the largest regional free-trade agreement, the TPP, disparaged and undermined America's alliances, creating uncertainties among its allies who have been asked to do more for their security. Interestingly, just a day before the release of the NSS, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss intelligence cooperation that apparently thwarted a terrorist attack in St. Petersburg. Similarly, while the text refers to Russia's meddling in the 2016 US election, Trump did not mention this in his speech. Likewise with China, the massive economic interdependence between the two countries, the signing of bilateral trade deals worth over $250 billion during Trump's recent visit to China and the need for Chinese political support in dealing with North Korea and other global challenges make it seem improbable that Trump would be able to put into practice all that has been said in the NSS.

The National Security Strategy is a statement of US interests and policies that seems to restrict India to a specific region and a specific role without addressing India's core interests. These include US role and policies in India's neighbourhood, divergent Intellectual Property Rights standards between India and the US in sharing dual-use technologies, foreign direct investment caps and toughening of H1-B visas for Indians. India, therefore, will have to carefully craft its policies and balance its priorities based on an objective assessment of its core interests and its own independent relations with both Russia and China. While India should seize the opportunities being offered by the US, it should not fall into the trap of the strategy's promotion of America's "sovereignty" over the concept of multi-polarity. The US has in the past garnered its strengths and worked with allies and partners to make America and the world stronger and safer. It remains to be seen if this document can inspire a serious introspection by the Trump administration and get rid of the contradictions in US policy.

The author is Senior Fellow, VIF

Cheers

It pays to keep in mind that Indo Pacific in the American strategic jargon refers to Indian ocean and the Pacific Ocean . Not specifically referring to India despite a lot of hullabaloo from some press.

kit · Post by **kit** » 26 Dec 2017 20:11

Austin wrote:Trump says $7 trillion ‘foolishly spent’ in Middle East

Not really its all dollar/oil denomination . The money was spent on the american military and contractors . much like what china is now "oboring" other countries., enriching itself.

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 02 Jan 2018 02:51

Trump: US has gotten “nothing” for Pakistan aid
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-u ... 07000.html

Too little and too f*cking late...

disha · Post by **disha** » 02 Jan 2018 03:17

^Negotiations 101. Bakistan is teaching US a new foreign policy.

Nothing to come out of it, just the negotiation price of Bakistanis have increased!

Dipanker · Post by **Dipanker** » 02 Jan 2018 06:52

kit wrote:
Austin wrote:Trump says $7 trillion ‘foolishly spent’ in Middle East
Not really its all dollar/oil denomination . The money was spent on the american military and contractors . much like what china is now "oboring" other countries., enriching itself.

GWOT since Oct. 2001 has done serious damage to the financial health of America. In 2001 the national debt of USA used to be $5.7 trillion, today it is $20.5 trillion and growing. This is debilitating and hollowed out America and has put the nation on a path of decline. The divide between the rich and poor has widened and the gini index is moving north of 0.47.

All in all due to its foolishness in fighting GWOT America has dug itself a serious hole.

disha · Post by **disha** » 02 Jan 2018 10:58

Dipanker wrote:All in all due to its foolishness in fighting GWOT America has dug itself a serious hole.

Also giving money to its Bakistani wh0re. Though some lights are flickering in Dupleecity.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01 ... rists.html

Bakistanis should scurry into the arms of their Chinese lords now. Good for both bakistanis and chinese.

As for the US, this blow-hot-blow-cold may yield some results. For now, celebrate this small success of the Indian Diplomacy and of course the indics who voted in Trump.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 02 Jan 2018 12:35

For now, celebrate this small success of the Indian Diplomacy and of course the indics who voted in Trump.

Really, Disha ji ?

Like when some folks celebrated when Obama threatened, when Bush threatened, when Clinton threatened, when ...

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 02 Jan 2018 13:01

Trump's tweets do not a US foreign policy make.The US establishment is so saturated with pro-Paki entities,who've been in cahoots with Pak for so long,that a divorce will be highly unlikely.

In the shouting match on telly between an Indian Maj.Gen and his Paki counterpart,the Paki threat of stopping all corridors of supply to the US and coalition forces,closure of all US base facilities for drone strikes,etc. would be immediate if sanctions were imposed upon Pak.Afghanistan would be "landlocked" and the only routes to it through Iran and the C.Asian states. Had it been under our control,the tiny strip in POK adjoining Afghanistan could've given us a route.US -Iran relations are in the sewer,only India can use the supply route through ChahBahar and the US is pressurising us to reduce our eco involvement with Iran-p*ssing them off lot as we reduce oil purchases,etc. That leaves the CA states,Russia and ...China to do the needful! Will China seize the opportunity to b the saviour of the Afghan people and drip-feed them at leisure ? Here i a great opportunity for India if sanctions are imposed upon Pak,as long as we tell the US off regarding our relations with Iran.They MUST be kept on separate platform,where Indian interests must come first.Iran is too important to us ,both from its Shiite anti-Pak slant as well as its geo-strategic location at the entrance to the Gulf.Iran has also shown in the Syrian conflict that it is the major Muslim military power in the ME,at least as far as troops on the ground are concerned.Gen.QS is a legend in his lifetime.

India should tell the US to put its money (back in its pocket) where its mouth is.Unless Pak is reined in for its terrorism global,orchestrated by its military and ISI,there will be no peace in the Western world,as the "magma" of Muslim extremism and jihadism originates from the volcanic entity that Pak is.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 02 Jan 2018 18:36

What exactly triggered Trump's Twitter outburst, seems to have come out of the blue?

anupmisra · Post by **anupmisra** » 02 Jan 2018 19:24

abhik wrote:What exactly triggered Trump's Twitter outburst, seems to have come out of the blue?

It was his first tweet of 2018, that too at 7:00 AM. Could be indigestion (due to late night festivities) or an early morning intelligence report on the pakis (who were about to do something incredibly stupid). Who knows.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 02 Jan 2018 19:27

abhik wrote:What exactly triggered Trump's Twitter outburst, seems to have come out of the blue?

Come on, don't you think of pukistan at 7:00 AM?

anupmisra · Post by **anupmisra** » 02 Jan 2018 19:27

Maybe Trump's tweet is connected to this.

anupmisra · Post by **anupmisra** » 02 Jan 2018 19:29

Lisa wrote:
abhik wrote:What exactly triggered Trump's Twitter outburst, seems to have come out of the blue?
Come on, don't you think of pukistan at 7:00 AM?

I dont think of it. I just flush it without any second thought or care. I do make sure it swirls away to meet other pukistans flushed away in similar manner.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 02 Jan 2018 21:10

Anup, is that the brand of the Donald's toilet paper? No wonder he tweeted against Pak.The caliphate got him in the a*se!

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 02 Jan 2018 21:27

I think DT is shaking the palm tree to see if an apple falls on his head. He might be creating disturbances in world to boost the american arms industries a major employer is his vote base. Not sure how realistic it is but there may be a very remote opportunity for us to retake PoK in my dreams. That solves many malaises
1. India gets waht it whats
2. Big middle finger to China
3. NATO/US/India gets safe access to Afghanistan
4. Sends CEPC to sewer with

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 02 Jan 2018 21:31

Philip wrote:Trump's tweets do not a US foreign policy make.The US establishment is so saturated with pro-Paki entities,who've been in cahoots with Pak for so long,that a divorce will be highly unlikely.

In the shouting match on telly between an Indian Maj.Gen and his Paki counterpart,the Paki threat of stopping all corridors of supply to the US and coalition forces,closure of all US base facilities for drone strikes,etc. would be immediate if sanctions were imposed upon Pak.Afghanistan would be "landlocked" and the only routes to it through Iran and the C.Asian states. Had it been under our control,the tiny strip in POK adjoining Afghanistan could've given us a route.US -Iran relations are in the sewer,only India can use the supply route through ChahBahar and the US is pressurising us to reduce our eco involvement with Iran-p*ssing them off lot as we reduce oil purchases,etc. That leaves the CA states,Russia and ...China to do the needful! Will China seize the opportunity to b the saviour of the Afghan people and drip-feed them at leisure ? Here i a great opportunity for India if sanctions are imposed upon Pak,as long as we tell the US off regarding our relations with Iran.They MUST be kept on separate platform,where Indian interests must come first.Iran is too important to us ,both from its Shiite anti-Pak slant as well as its geo-strategic location at the entrance to the Gulf.Iran has also shown in the Syrian conflict that it is the major Muslim military power in the ME,at least as far as troops on the ground are concerned.Gen.QS is a legend in his lifetime.

India should tell the US to put its money (back in its pocket) where its mouth is.Unless Pak is reined in for its terrorism global,orchestrated by its military and ISI,there will be no peace in the Western world,as the "magma" of Muslim extremism and jihadism originates from the volcanic entity that Pak is.

Trump may be poisoning the well and simultaneously taking on some deep state elements both in the SD as well as the intelligence establishment.

It is certainly not a secret that many in the govt senior levels are vehemently against him

Unusual for a POTUS to comment at this level or even so viciously.

kit · Post by **kit** » 03 Jan 2018 23:34

Dipanker wrote:
kit wrote:
Not really its all dollar/oil denomination . The money was spent on the american military and contractors . much like what china is now "oboring" other countries., enriching itself.
GWOT since Oct. 2001 has done serious damage to the financial health of America. In 2001 the national debt of USA used to be $5.7 trillion, today it is $20.5 trillion and growing. This is debilitating and hollowed out America and has put the nation on a path of decline. The divide between the rich and poor has widened and the gini index is moving north of 0.47.

All in all due to its foolishness in fighting GWOT America has dug itself a serious hole.

If you owe more than your banks worth they wont haul you to court would they

.. america will print itself out and the world cannot afford america to fail, it will be catastrophic for the entire economic order .Literally USA is too big to fail .. but nature demands balance ..so China comes up

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 04 Jan 2018 06:41

kit wrote:It pays to keep...

saar, please to not quote the whole post and make a two line comment. Thanks.

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 04 Jan 2018 06:44

Dipanker wrote:GWOT ... All in all due to its foolishness in fighting GWOT America has dug itself a serious hole.

I thought it is Global Offensive Against Terrorism AKA GOAT. What changed?

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 04 Jan 2018 08:49

ArjunPandit wrote:I think DT is shaking the palm tree to see if an apple falls on his head. He might be creating disturbances in world to boost the american arms industries a major employer is his vote base. Not sure how realistic it is but there may be a very remote opportunity for us to retake PoK in my dreams. That solves many malaises
1. India gets waht it whats
2. Big middle finger to China
3. NATO/US/India gets safe access to Afghanistan
4. Sends CEPC to sewer with

Also see: <this x-post> from Bruce Riedel. It articulates some of my thinking too.

arun · Post by **arun** » 04 Jan 2018 09:51

X Posted from the Terroristan thread.

Amber G. wrote:Bruce Riedel's piece;

BARKING OR BITING?

Trump’s Tweet About Pakistan as a Terrorist Haven Was Right. But What Will He Do About It?

Pakistan’s generals, who run the policy supporting terrorism, believe Trump is all bluster. And they may be correct, but there is much Washington can do if it is serious.
………………..{Rest Snipped}……………..

The recognition that US President is blustering regards the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan seems to be well setting in among American Foreign policy types

.

To go with the above Bruce Riedel article, an article titled “Pakistan Has All the Leverage Over Trump : The president can tweet all the threats he wants, but Pakistan’s leaders aren’t worried.", by C Christine Fair, Associate Professor at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, points out that as long as the US identifies Shia Iran as the bigger problem, it is the Sunni Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Pakistan that holds all the cards. Thus she concludes that US President Donald Trump can huff and puff all he wants but the US is eventually going to have to tuck its tail between its legs and back off.

I trust our foreign policy establishment learns this lesson (and learns it well) that administering the stick on the US backside is an entirely feasible option with containable downside and proceeds to do so whenever the US infringes on our national interests starting with providing military aid to the Islamic Republic. No more free pass for the US paying out large sums as Jaziya to the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan to achieve goals in Afghanistan :

While Trump can tweet whatever he wants about Pakistan or Iran, the professionals on his staff know the truth: U.S. policy in Afghanistan requires a port with road or rail access to Afghanistan. This administration — like each one before — has cast its lot with Pakistan. And this administration will confront the same failures as its predecessors. Logistics will beat strategy every time.

From Foreign Policy here:

“Pakistan Has All the Leverage Over Trump : The president can tweet all the threats he wants, but Pakistan’s leaders aren’t worried.

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 04 Jan 2018 10:33

Amber G. wrote:It articulates some of my thinking too.

Sir,
Bruce and Fair both are articulating what has been made into chennai mango shake over here so many times. I just wanted to add a few dry fruits over and above that mango shake typical gurugram style.
It is best for India to prepare the hammer that can strike when the iron is hot.

arun · Post by **arun** » 05 Jan 2018 09:26

X Posted from the Indian Foreign Policy thread.

Op Ed by Barkha Dutt in the Washington Post on the latest spat between Sugar Daddy the United States and two timing girl friend, the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan, titled “Trump’s aid cuts won’t make Pakistan change”.:

Trump’s aid cuts won’t make Pakistan change

By Barkha Dutt

January 4 at 5:21 PM

How seriously should one take President Trump’s tweets? His first tweet of 2018, calling out of the “lies and deceit” of Pakistan, had pretty much all of India whooping in approval. Trump’s remarks on Pakistan’s failure to act against the terrorist groups it has cultivated, and his administration’s subsequent announcement that it would be freezing nearly all of its millions of dollars in security assistance to Pakistan, was a “gotcha” moment for New Delhi.

For years, Pakistan’s deep state (controlled by its all-powerful military and covert agencies) has used terrorism as an instrument of asymmetric warfare both in India and Afghanistan. For Indians, Trump’s tweet and the suspension of funds was a moment of vindication. But the unfortunate reality is that publicly shaming Pakistan, as Trump has done, and even the cuts in security aid have very little real impact on a country whose skin has grown comfortably thick from rhetorical battering. Pakistan survives in the smug belief that after the United States’ grandstanding is done and over, Washington will eventually turn to it for mopping up its half-finished mess in Afghanistan. Holding back the dollars every few years is just a nip and tuck, when what’s really needed is a surgical uprooting of terrorist support systems inside Pakistan. ………………………….

How seriously should one take President Trump’s tweets? His first tweet of 2018, calling out of the “lies and deceit” of Pakistan, had pretty much all of India whooping in approval. Trump’s remarks on Pakistan’s failure to act against the terrorist groups it has cultivated, and his administration’s subsequent announcement that it would be freezing nearly all of its millions of dollars in security assistance to Pakistan, was a “gotcha” moment for New Delhi.

For years, Pakistan’s deep state (controlled by its all-powerful military and covert agencies) has used terrorism as an instrument of asymmetric warfare both in India and Afghanistan. For Indians, Trump’s tweet and the suspension of funds was a moment of vindication. But the unfortunate reality is that publicly shaming Pakistan, as Trump has done, and even the cuts in security aid have very little real impact on a country whose skin has grown comfortably thick from rhetorical battering. Pakistan survives in the smug belief that after the United States’ grandstanding is done and over, Washington will eventually turn to it for mopping up its half-finished mess in Afghanistan. Holding back the dollars every few years is just a nip and tuck, when what’s really needed is a surgical uprooting of terrorist support systems inside Pakistan. …………………

From an Indian perspective, while Trump’s actions score well for Indian diplomacy, no one doubts that U.S. self-interest, not principled concerns about Pakistan’s patronage of terrorist groups in Kashmir, triggered this outburst. In November, American lawmakers dropped a provision that conditionally linked aid to Pakistan to a crackdown on the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistani terrorist group responsible for a spate of attacks inside India (including the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai). The bill voted into law retained the clause on linking U.S. aid only to Pakistan’s curbing of the Haqqani network in Afghanistan.

This free pass to Pakistan on some terrorist groups, while expecting it to act against others, is part of the schizophrenia that has defined U.S. policy. Trump’s tweet exposes Pakistan’s double standards on terrorism. But the United States needs to examine its own.

From the Washington Post:

Trump’s aid cuts won’t make Pakistan change

arun · Post by **arun** » 05 Jan 2018 11:42

X Posted from the Terroristan thread.

Excerpt from Background Briefing with Senior US State Department Officials on Security Assistance to Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan or more correctly its scaling back,dealing with India specific Mohammadden Terrorist groups and individuals namely Lashkar e Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) and Hafiz Mohammad Saeed operating in the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

The bottom line is that we can’t continue to have a relationship that has business as usual with Pakistan. This conversation is not new to this administration. There have been concerns about Pakistan’s – and I focused on the issue of sanctuaries for the Haqqani Network and the Taliban, but we have concerns about their nuclear program; we have concerns about the ability of anti-India groups like Lashkar-e Tayyiba and Jaish-e Mohammed to fundraise and operate; and Hafiz Saeed, the head of Lashkar-e Tayyiba, who was recently released from house arrest. All of these issues have been a feature of our relationship or a feature of our conversation with Pakistan for many years, and this administration felt that we needed to take additional steps to underscore that we’re not going to be able to continue the relationship on autopilot; we can’t continue a status quo relationship; we need to be able to move beyond these challenges and put our relationship on more solid footing.

Also excerpt dealing with supply of military equipment and aid. Here it may be noted the US has left a two barn doors open for resuming the payment of Jaziya to Major Non NATO Ally the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The first is where "required by law" and the second where "critical to national security interests".

The weasel words:

The United States will not deliver military equipment or transfer security-related funds to Pakistan unless required by law. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis if they are determined to be critical to national security interests.

From the US State Department Website:

Briefing with Senior State Department Officials on Security Assistance to Pakistan

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 08 Jan 2018 23:37

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump

The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if “O” was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.

8:04 PM - 4 Jan 2018

Pulikeshi · Post by **Pulikeshi** » 09 Jan 2018 07:14

chetak wrote:
Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump

The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if “O” was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.

8:04 PM - 4 Jan 2018

Before your cup floweth over irrational exuberance from unfake fake news! - The global assets are 3.5 times the global economy!
Money will pour into even dogecoin and bark! This is a new wonderland - no one can tell you what is to come!
All I can say is woof in 2018!

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 09 Jan 2018 21:37

Google Search page honors Hargobind Khurana today on his 96 birth anniversary.

krithivas · Post by **krithivas** » 10 Jan 2018 00:47

^^ Pakistanis will claim his legacy and all credits associated because he was born in what is now "Pakistan". Remember they have also claimed credit for the Indus valley civilization

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 10 Jan 2018 01:03

A comprehensive article on H.G. Khurana.

Our modern biologists need to know his contributions

https://www.vox.com/2018/1/9/16862980/g ... netics-dna

Vips · Post by **Vips** » 10 Jan 2018 02:01

Why Trump is right to go to Davos: It's India, stupid.

I welcome the news, first reported by the New York Times, that President Trump will attend the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, later this month.

Of course, some are condemning the president's decision.

But while no U.S. president has attended the summit for 17 years, the annual gathering of top business and political leaders offers Trump an opportunity to advance U.S. interests. If nothing else, Trump's ability to schmooze powerful officials will help improve global confidence in his leadership. And considering the many billionaires who also flock to Davos, Trump might be able to attract new investment to the U.S.

Yet the most important rationale in favor of Trump's attendance is the fact that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the summit as its keynote speaker. That matters because India is the linchpin on which U.S. geo-strategic interests will rise or fall in the 21st century.

When it comes to these interests, there's India's increasingly wealthy 1.2 billion person market for high-value U.S. goods like iPhones, integrated circuits, and medical devices. As India's economy grows, those exports will mean well-paying, sustainable U.S. jobs.

Then there's India's contribution to stability in Asia and the Pacific, and its support for a democratic, rules-based international order.

This latter point is especially crucial as China continues to consolidate its influence over traditional U.S. allies (French President Emmanuel Macron is currently in China sucking up). Put simply, unless the U.S. is able to offer a compelling and powerful counterbalance to Chinese mercantilist-imperialism, China will become the 21st-century shot caller.

And that will mean the subjugation of emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region and a global economic feudalism in which all nations must bow to Beijing.

It will mean the expansion of Chinese military hegemony in the Pacific and the enabling of Russian aggression in the Middle East and Europe.

It will mean American jobs and intellectual property and values all suborned to Xi Jinping's architecture of statism.

So yes, if for no other reason than to continue befriending Modi, Trump is right to go to Davos.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 10 Jan 2018 03:14

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-t ... le/2645395
Why Trump is right to go to Davos: It's India, stupid

I welcome the news, first reported by the New York Times, that President Trump will attend the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, later this month.Of course, some are condemning the president's decision.But while no U.S. president has attended the summit for 17 years, the annual gathering of top business and political leaders offers Trump an opportunity to advance U.S. interests. If nothing else, Trump's ability to schmooze powerful officials will help improve global confidence in his leadership. And considering the many billionaires who also flock to Davos, Trump might be able to attract new investment to the U.S.Yet the most important rationale in favor of Trump's attendance is the fact that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the summit as its keynote speaker. That matters because India is the linchpin on which U.S. geo-strategic interests will rise or fall in the 21st century.When it comes to these interests, there's India's increasingly wealthy 1.2 billion person market for high-value U.S. goods like iPhones, integrated circuits, and medical devices. As India's economy grows, those exports will mean well-paying, sustainable U.S. jobs.Then there's India's contribution to stability in Asia and the Pacific, and its support for a democratic, rules-based international order.This latter point is especially crucial as China continues to consolidate its influence over traditional U.S. allies (French President Emmanuel Macron is currently in China sucking up). Put simply, unless the U.S. is able to offer a compelling and powerful counterbalance to Chinese mercantilist-imperialism, China will become the 21st-century shot caller.And that will mean the subjugation of emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region and a global economic feudalism in which all nations must bow to Beijing.It will mean the expansion of Chinese military hegemony in the Pacific and the enabling of Russian aggression in the Middle East and Europe.It will mean American jobs and intellectual property and values all suborned to Xi Jinping's architecture of statism.So yes, if for no other reason than to continue befriending Modi, Trump is right to go to Davos.

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 10 Jan 2018 04:09

Just one line Good luck to those who suck up to communist regime without any regard for democracy. It will implode it will be when not if..I will say less than 25 years.

Mort Walker · Post by **Mort Walker** » 10 Jan 2018 08:37

Has anyone read "Our Time Has Come" by Alyssa Ayres? The WSJ had a very good review of it by Tunku Varadrajan.

We are witnessing a country chart its course to power and without explicitly seeking to displace others

arun · Post by **arun** » 10 Jan 2018 09:04

X Posting from the Terroristan thread. Will the US yet again find an excuse to not wield the stick of the backside of the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan and instead fearfully conjure up reasons to get extorted by the Islamic Republic to very Kaafir Dhimmi like fork out yet more Jaziya as hitherto has been the pattern of US behaviour and which has been an act to India’s detriment?

Xinhua reports that civilian underling in chief to the Uniformed Jihadi’s of the Punjabi Military Dominated Deep State of the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan fronting fictional façade of civilian control over the Uniformed Jihadi’s , namely Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, has disclosed that the Islamic Republic has suspended defense and intelligence cooperation with the United States amid growing tensions over U.S. suspension of military aid to Pakistan:

Defense, intelligence cooperation with U.S. suspended: Pakistani defense minister

The Voice of America (VOA) on the other hand reports that the US insists its Major Non-NATO Ally has done no such thing

.

Appears the US may be pretending that her Major Non-NATO Ally, the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan has not stuck a finger up the US backside and wiggled it vigorously by claiming that that no such thing happened so as to not have to act on the tough guy threats they (the US) have made to the Islamic Republic

:

US Denies Pakistani Claims of Suspension of Military or Intel Cooperation

chanakyaa · Post by **chanakyaa** » 10 Jan 2018 09:17

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-t ... le/2645395
Why Trump is right to go to Davos: It's India, stupid

It is going to be all about India for the next 100 years at least, assuming we play our cards wisely. Lately, Davos had turned into boring club of business and political leaders who gathered over cocktails to hear words of wisdom from Central bankers around the world who propped up their post-crisis economies with debt. I hope future World Economic Forums are held in beautiful Shimla or Dharamshala or Pahalgam instead of propping up Switzerland's tourism industry.