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Time of India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What's driving US President's sudden warmth toward Pakistan
Donald Trump's White House lunch with Asim Munir on Wednesday represented a significant diplomatic departure, being the first instance of a US President hosting a Pakistani military leader who isn't the head of state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 's relationship with the US is experiencing renewed engagement, marked by enhanced counterterrorism cooperation and potential economic partnerships. Recent developments include Pakistan's capture of the suspected Abbey Gate bomber and discussions about trade deals, rare earth minerals, and cryptocurrency investments, signaling a shift from the previously strained relations under the Biden administration. This engagement stands in stark contrast to Trump's previous stance when he had accused Pakistan of deception and harbouring terrorists and former President Joe Biden's characterisation of Pakistan as highly dangerous. So what is the reason behind this change in heart? 'Pakistanis know Iran very well' Israel has been conducting strikes on Iranian cities since June 13, targeting generals, missile bases, nuclear facilities, and scientists, resulting in over 200 deaths. Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel have killed approximately 20 people in the past six days. The Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu has been seeking US support in their offensive against Iran, which shares a 900-kilometre border with Pakistan. Speaking in the Oval Office after lunch with Munir, Trump said: "The Pakistanis know Iran very well, better than most," while noting they are "not happy." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Capture of Abbey Gate bomber Pakistan has maintained a long-standing relationship with the US since its independence in 1947, initially aligning with Washington during the Cold War. The partnership strengthened during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, with Pakistan supporting US objectives and collaborating to aid the mujahideen forces, according to Aljazeera. The relationship faced challenges after 9/11, particularly when was discovered in Abbottabad near Pakistan's military headquarters in 2011. Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Pakistan has increasingly looked to China for support. Three months ago, during his first address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, newly re-elected Trump revealed that Pakistan had apprehended the alleged perpetrator of the deadly Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport from August 2021. The bombing occurred during the chaotic evacuation of thousands of Afghans following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. In his address, Trump specifically acknowledged Pakistan's role in the arrest. "I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster," Trump said during his congressional address. General Michael E Kurilla, chief of US central Command, praised Pakistan's recent counterterrorism efforts during his testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. "They are in an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world," Kurilla stated. Kurilla highlighted the direct coordination with Pakistan's army chief in recent operations. "Field Marshal Asim Munir called me to tell me they had captured one of the Daesh-K individuals," he said. Rare earth mineral resources trade Pakistan is now offering new economic incentives to strengthen ties with the US. According to Weinbaum, these include "more goodies, such as a trade deal with no tariffs, offering rare earth minerals, and crypto." The country has begun promoting its rare earth mineral resources to foreign investors, including the US and Saudi Arabia. These minerals are essential for defense, robotics, and electronics industries. Pakistan has established a crypto council and initiated discussions with US officials to attract investment and partnerships in the cryptocurrency sector. Transactional relationship Pakistan's relationship with the United States has historically been transactional, particularly in security matters. While US aid and investment supported Pakistan's infrastructure and military development when aligned with US strategic goals, the relationship has been plagued by mutual distrust, with accusations of double-dealing from the US and Pakistan claiming its sacrifices go unrecognized. The US has provided support to Pakistan when needed and withdrawn when its objectives were met. This pattern has characterized their diplomatic ties over the years. "Unless this relationship is institutionalised, beyond the security lens with which it is viewed, it's another tactical romance. And like past dalliances, it could fade once strategic goals are met or regimes change," said Rumi. "Much depends on whether it leans toward China or the US. That decision is also tied to the evolving Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of Iran," said Ansar, noting Pakistan's position at a crucial strategic crossroads amid global power shifts. Weinbaum offered a more cautious assessment: "If Pakistan does play some role in the Iran crisis, they could have more substantial meaning to these ties. But it needs to be prepared that there is nothing settled with this administration. It can change on a dime, at any hour." Continuance of military dominance in Pakistan The military institution has directly ruled Pakistan for over three decades, with the current elected government widely considered subordinate to military leadership under Munir. The military's prominent role follows historical patterns in Pakistan-US relations. Previous military rulers including Field Marshal Ayub Khan in the 1960s, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s, and General in the 2000s maintained strong ties with the United States and received White House invitations after becoming heads of state. Munir is only the second Pakistani to achieve the field marshal rank after Khan, reinforcing the military's central role despite civilian government presence. "This meeting validates the enduring military-to-military track in US-Pakistan ties, but it also bypasses the civilian setup, which should worry anyone rooting for democratic consolidation. If this is the 'reset,' it's one where khaki once again trumps ballot," CUNY expert Rumi told Aljazeera. The Trump-Munir meeting exemplifies the continuing prominence of military leadership in Pakistan's international relations, despite having an elected government.
Al Jazeera
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Trump's Pakistan embrace: ‘Tactical romance' or a new ‘inner circle'?
Islamabad, Pakistan – In his first address to a joint session of Congress on March 4 this year, after becoming United States president for a second time, Donald Trump made a striking revelation. He referred to the deadly Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul airport in August 2021 – which occurred as thousands of Afghans tried to flee following the Taliban takeover – and said the alleged perpetrator had been apprehended. The country he credited with the arrest: Pakistan. 'I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster,' Trump declared. A little more than three months later, Trump hosted Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir for lunch at the White House on Wednesday — the first time a US president has hosted a military chief from Pakistan who isn't also the country's head of state. Munir is on a five-day trip to the US. For a country that Trump had, just seven years earlier, accused of giving the US 'nothing but lies and deceit' and safe havens to terrorists – and one that his immediate predecessor Joe Biden called 'one of the most dangerous nations' – this marks a dramatic shift. It's a reset that experts say has been in the making for weeks, under Trump's second administration, and that was solidified by the brief but intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May, during which the US tried to mediate a ceasefire. Some analysts warn that the evolving relationship should be viewed as a product of Trump's personal position, rather than institutional policy. 'We are dealing with an administration which changes its tune by the hour. There is no process here,' Marvin Weinbaum, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI), told Al Jazeera. 'One minute the US has no interest, and the next minute priorities change rapidly. You're dealing with an administration that is mercurial and personalised, and you don't associate that with traditional US foreign policy,' he added. However, others point out that even the optics of Trump hosting Munir are significant. 'Trump's lunch invite to Pakistan's army chief isn't just protocol-breaking, it's protocol-redefining,' said Raza Ahmad Rumi, a distinguished lecturer at the City University of New York (CUNY). 'It signals, quite visibly, that Pakistan is not just on Washington's radar, it's in the inner circle, at least for now.' The meeting between Trump and Munir came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where Israel has been conducting strikes inside Iranian cities since June 13. Iran has retaliated with missile attacks of its own on Israel. The Israeli offensive – targeting Iranian generals, missile bases, nuclear facilities and scientists – has killed more than 200 people. Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel over the past six days have killed about 20 people. The Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government has been urging the US to join the offensive against Iran, which shares a 900-kilometre-long (559-mile) border with Pakistan. Speaking to the media in the Oval Office after the lunch with Munir on Wednesday, Trump noted that the Pakistanis 'know Iran very well, better than most,' but added that they are 'not happy'. According to Trump, however, the main reason for meeting Munir was to thank him for his role in defusing the May conflict between Pakistan and India, a confrontation that brought the region, home to more than 1.6 billion people, to the brink of nuclear war. 'The reason I had him here was that I wanted to thank him for not going into the war [with India]. And I want to thank PM [Narendra] Modi as well, who just left a few days ago. We're working on a trade deal with India and Pakistan,' said Trump, who is known to enjoy a warm relationship with Indian leader Modi. 'These two very smart people decided not to keep going with a war that could have been a nuclear war. Pakistan and India are two big nuclear powers. I was honoured to meet him today,' he added, referring to Munir. The crisis had begun after an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 Indian civilians. India blamed Pakistan, which denied the charge and called for a 'credible, independent, transparent' investigation. On May 7, India launched strikes inside Pakistani and Pakistan-administered Kashmir territories. Pakistan responded via its air force, claiming to have downed at least six Indian jets. India confirmed losses but did not specify numbers. The conflict escalated as both sides exchanged drones for three days and eventually launched missiles at military targets on May 10. It ended only after intense backchannel diplomacy, particularly involving the US, led to a ceasefire. Trump reiterated his role on Wednesday. 'I stopped the war between Pakistan and India. This man [Munir] was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side, Modi from the India side, and others,' he said. While Pakistan has acknowledged the US role, India insists the ceasefire resulted solely from bilateral dialogue. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated on Tuesday that Indian PM Modi had spoken to Trump by phone to underscore New Delhi's view that there was no US-led mediation between India and Pakistan. Arif Ansar, chief strategist at Washington-based advisory firm PoliTact, said Pakistan's military performance during the confrontation prompted Trump's engagement. 'It demonstrated that despite its political and economic challenges, the country can outmanoeuvre a much bigger adversary,' Ansar told Al Jazeera. 'This has led President Trump to engage with Pakistan's traditional power centres based on core strategic interests.' That engagement has a long history. Pakistan's relationship with the US dates back to its 1947 independence, after which it aligned with Washington during the Cold War. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan supported US objectives there, and the two collaborated closely to support the mujahideen that eventually forced Moscow to pull out its troops. Subsequently, Pakistan also backed the post-9/11 US 'war on terror'. However, over the years, many within the US strategic community also started questioning Pakistan's credibility as a reliable security partner, especially after 9/11 architect Osama bin Laden was found in Abbottabad, close to Rawalpindi, home to Pakistan's military headquarters in 2011. Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the strategic partnership has waned further. Pakistan has increasingly turned towards China for economic, military and technological support. But Weinbaum said that since Trump returned to office, Pakistan has been getting respect that was lacking under the previous Biden administration. Trump wanted 'counterterrorism assistance,' Weinbaum said – and seemingly got it. On June 10, General Michael E Kurilla, chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), detailed how that cooperation led to the capture of the suspected Abbey Gate bomber. 'They [Pakistan] are in an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world,' Kurilla said, in a testimony before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington, DC. According to Kurilla, who also oversees the US military's Middle East operations including Iran, this progress, including the arrest of the Abbey Gate bombing suspect, was made possible due to direct coordination with Pakistan's army chief. 'Field Marshal Asim Munir called me to tell me they had captured one of the Daesh-K [ISKP or ISIS-K] individuals,' he said. As the icing on the cake for the bilateral relationship, Weinbaum suggested, Pakistan has thrown in 'more goodies, such as a trade deal with no tariffs, offering rare earth minerals, and crypto'. Weinbaum previously served as an analyst for Pakistan and Afghanistan in the US State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. Rare earth minerals, critical for industries like defence, robotics and electronics, are among Pakistan's assets now being offered to foreign investors, including the US and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has also recently formed a crypto council and held talks with US officials to attract investment and partnerships. Rumi called the Munir-Trump meeting 'historic'. 'The US wants Pakistan's help in de-risking regional volatility without offering much in return. For Munir, it's an opportunity to reassert relevance and perhaps negotiate manoeuvring space at home,' he said. Historically, Pakistan's ties with the US have been largely transactional, particularly in the security sphere. US aid and investment often followed Pakistan's alignment with US strategic goals, helping build its infrastructure and military. But the relationship has also been marked by distrust, with US administrations accusing Pakistan of double-dealing, while Pakistan claims the US has failed to respect the sacrifices it has made while siding with them. Whether this latest engagement proves to be another fleeting phase or a more durable alignment remains to be seen, say experts. Rumi, the New York-based academic, said the US has traditionally engaged Pakistan when it needed to, and retreated when it could. 'Unless this relationship is institutionalised, beyond the security lens with which it is viewed, it's another tactical romance. And like past dalliances, it could fade once strategic goals are met or regimes change,' he said. Ansar added that Pakistan again stands on the brink of a major strategic choice amid the global power shift. 'Much depends on whether it leans toward China or the US. That decision is also tied to the evolving Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of Iran,' he said. But Weinbaum, the former State Department official, described the reset in ties as temporary, as 'nothing is permanent in this administration'. 'If Pakistan does play some role in the Iran crisis, they have could have more substantial meaning to these ties. But it needs to be prepared that there is nothing settled with this administration. It can change on a dime, at any hour,' he said. The military remains Pakistan's most powerful institution, exerting enormous influence over politics and society. It has ruled directly for more than three decades, and the current government, elected in a controversial vote last year, is widely seen as secondary to the military leadership under Munir. This is consistent with historical precedent. Pakistan's first military ruler, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, had close ties with the US in the 1960s. Subsequent military rulers, including General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s and General Pervez Musharraf in the 2000s, also maintained strong US relations. All three were hosted by US presidents at the White House – but only after they became heads of state. Munir, now only the second Pakistani to hold the rank of field marshal after Khan, reinforces the perception that Pakistan's real power remains with the military, despite the presence of a civilian government, say experts. Still, CUNY's Rumi said it was important not to 'confuse symbolism with transformation'. 'This [Trump-Munir] meeting validates the enduring military-to-military track in US-Pakistan [ties], but it also bypasses the civilian setup, which should worry anyone rooting for democratic consolidation. If this is the 'reset,' it's one where khaki once again trumps ballot,' he cautioned, referring to the colour of the military's uniform. Ansar from PoliTact concurred, saying that the meeting reflects adversely on the civil-military balance in Pakistan, as it showed who remains the 'real power bearer' in Pakistan. 'In the long run, these dealings in the past have led to tremendous political, economic and security-related repercussions for the nation [Pakistan],' he said. 'But additionally, it has promoted a norm that critical decisions impacting the nation must be made in private without discussion, consensus or public ownership. This results in increased societal and political disillusionment regarding the future of the country.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kash Patel delivers fiery warning after FBI disrupts mass shooting terror plot targeting military
EXCLUSIVE: FBI Director Kash Patel issued a fiery warning after the bureau disrupted a mass shooting plot at a military base on behalf of ISIS. Patel told Fox News Digital that any individual targeting the U.S. military or conspiring with foreign terrorist organizations will be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." The director's warning comes after a former Michigan Army National Guard member, Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, was arrested for allegedly planning a mass shooting near the U.S. Army's Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) center at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. Former Michigan Army National Guard Member Charged With Plotting Mass Shooting At Army Base On Behalf Of Isis "Let this be a warning: Anyone who targets our military or conspires with foreign terrorist organizations will be found, stopped and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Patel told Fox News Digital Thursday. "I commend the men and women of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and our law enforcement partners for their continued dedication to protecting the American people." Said "launched his drone in support of the attack plan" and told an undercover FBI agent in the lead-up to the foiled plot he recommended that "everyone have about seven magazines because you don't want to be in there and run out of ammo," according to officials. Read On The Fox News App Said is now facing charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years per count if convicted. Abbey Gate Terror Suspect's Mugshot Revealed As He Makes First Federal Court Appearance The Justice Department said that, in April, "two undercover officers indicated they intended to carry out Said's plan at the direction of ISIS. "In response, Said provided material assistance to the attack plan, including providing armor-piercing ammunition and magazines for the attack, flying his drone over TACOM to conduct operational reconnaissance, training the undercover employees on firearms and the construction of Molotov cocktails for use during the attack and planning numerous details of the attack, including how to enter TACOM and which building to target." A criminal complaint stated that, around June 2024, Said started communicating with an undercover FBI agent who he thought was a fellow ISIS supporter. The complaint noted that Said enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard in September 2022 and attended basic training at Fort Moore in Georgia. He later reported to the Michigan Army National Guard Taylor Armory before being discharged around December 2024. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation into the case. "Our agents, intelligence teams, and partners acted quickly — and they saved lives," Patel wrote on X Tuesday. "Well done to all on executing the mission." Fox News Digital's Greg Norman contributed to this report. Original article source: Kash Patel delivers fiery warning after FBI disrupts mass shooting terror plot targeting military
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former Michigan Army National Guard member charged with plotting mass shooting at Army base on behalf of ISIS
A former Michigan Army National Guard member was arrested for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a military base on behalf of the Islamic State terrorist group, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, was taken into custody Tuesday after he traveled to an area near the U.S. Army's Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, and "launched his drone in support of the attack plan," officials said. "I recommend everyone have about seven magazines because you don't want to be in there and run out of ammo," Said allegedly told an undercover FBI agent in the leadup to the foiled plot, according to a criminal complaint. Said is now facing charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years per count if convicted. Abbey Gate Terror Suspect's Mugshot Revealed As He Makes First Federal Court Appearance "This defendant is charged with planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS," Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department's National Security Division, said in a statement. "Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost. We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the Department to find and prosecute those who seek to harm our men and women in the military and to protect all Americans." Read On The Fox News App The Justice Department said that in April, "two undercover officers indicated they intended to carry out Said's plan at the direction of ISIS" and "in response, Said provided material assistance to the attack plan, including providing armor-piercing ammunition and magazines for the attack, flying his drone over TACOM to conduct operational reconnaissance, training the undercover employees on firearms and the construction of Molotov cocktails for use during the attack, and planning numerous details of the attack including how to enter TACOM and which building to target." 7 Times Isis Has Inspired Terror Attacks On Us Soil The criminal complaint stated that around June 2024, Said started communicating with an undercover FBI agent whom he had thought was a fellow ISIS supporter. "During the course of their interactions, which were audio- and/or video-recorded, Said described his longstanding desire to engage in violent jihad, either by traveling to ISIS-held territory abroad or by carrying out an attack in the United States," the complaint said. "On July 18, 2024, FBI agents executed a search warrant for Said's iPhone by performing a covert search of that device... when SAID provided it to personnel with the Michigan Army National Guard prior to boarding a military aircraft. During that search, FBI agents identified a Facebook message exchange (in Arabic) that took place on or about October 5, 2023, between Said and another Facebook user located in the Palestinian territories," the complaint continued. "In that Facebook message exchange, Said stated, 'I want to go for Jihad,' and the other Facebook user replied, 'Talk to me on Telegram.' Agents also determined during the search that Said was a member of multiple channels in the encrypted messaging application Telegram, one of which contained videos and images with ISIS flags," it also said. The complaint noted that Said enlisted in the Michigan Army National Guard in September 2022 and attended basic training at Fort Moore in Georgia. He later reported to the Michigan Army National Guard Taylor Armory before being discharged around December 2024. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation into the article source: Former Michigan Army National Guard member charged with plotting mass shooting at Army base on behalf of ISIS
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump DOJ moves funds used for transgender projects, DEI to support law enforcement
The Justice Department (DOJ) is moving funds formerly granted to groups supporting transgender ideology and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to law enforcement, Fox News Digital has confirmed. A Justice Department official told Fox News Digital that the DOJ, under Attorney General Pam Bondi's watch, will "not waste" funds on DEI. Abbey Gate Terrorist, Human Smuggling Ring Leaders, Cartel Bosses Among Bondi Doj's First-month Successes "The Department of Justice under Pam Bondi will not waste discretionary funds on DEI passion projects that do not make Americans safer," the official told Fox News Digital. "We will use our money to get criminals off the streets, seize drugs, and in some cases, fund programs that deliver a tangible impact for victims of crime." Bondi's Doj Day 1 Directives: Fight Weaponization Of Justice, Eliminate Cartels, Lift Death Penalty Ban Bondi, on her first day at the DOJ, directed officials to ensure all DEI programs at the department were terminated. She also demanded the removal of all references to DEI in training programs — specifically ending the emphasis on race and sex-based criteria, and refocusing hiring and promotion guidelines "solely on merit." Read On The Fox News App After her first month as attorney general, Bondi told Fox News Digital that the DOJ was "arresting violent terrorists, dismantling cartel networks, and rooting DEI out of American institutions." "We will continue working day in and day out to deliver on President Trump's Make America Safe Agenda," Bondi said. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Original article source: Trump DOJ moves funds used for transgender projects, DEI to support law enforcement
