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According to Reuters, nuclear-armed Pakistan “is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could eventually allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an ’emerging threat’ to the United States.” Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer identified the nuclear-armed states with missiles capable of reaching the United States: Russia, North Korea and China. And Pakistan “is striving to join” them, while helping to destabilize the region and fueling the Axis of Evil. The Brookings Institution put forward the idea of appeasing Pakistan so as not to inflame it and escalate, but history demonstrates that appeasement never works with states that advance jihad. Any “close ties” between Pakistan and America were always based on falsehoods to begin with. Pakistan has always played a double game, steadily advancing terrorism as a state funder.
Pakistan is also as virulently against Israel for being a Jewish nation as it is against India for being a Hindu nation. It has become increasingly problematic and threatening to free societies. Consequently, the US has updated a travel advisory for Americans considering visiting the country:
Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, military installations, airports, universities, tourist attractions, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and government facilities. Terrorists have targeted U.S. diplomats and diplomatic facilities in the past.
In response, the U.S. has levied sanctions. Eurasian Times reported on December 21, 2024:
From sending its armada to support Islamabad during the 1971 war against India to sanctioning a Pakistani state-owned enterprise trying to develop long-range ballistic missiles that threaten Washington, US-Pakistan relations have come full circle.
As per the Pentagon’s assessment, Pakistan is striving to join a small list of adversaries – Russia, North Korea, and China that can strike United States territory. Islamabad’s sophisticated missile development program that brings territory outside South Asia within its striking range is inimical to the interests of the United States.
It is the first time that the US has sanctioned a Pakistani state-owned enterprise tied to missile development. Sanctions have been imposed on four Pakistani entities, including the state-owned National Development Complex (NDC), for their role in advancing Pakistan’s missile program….
As per the US assessment, the NDC is responsible for Pakistan’s development of ballistic missiles, including the Shaheen-series ballistic missiles….
The four “entities” named in the American sanctions for contributing to Pakistan’s Ballistic Missile Program are: the National Development Complex (NDC), located in Islamabad; Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International, and Rockside Enterprise–located in Karachi. The US Executive Order “targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”
Pakistan’s reaction to American sanctions was an expected one. Similarly to Iran, it downplayed its nuclear intentions:
Pakistan considers the US decision to impose sanctions on NDC and three commercial entities as unfortunate and biased. Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for the strategic stability of our region and beyond.
With a nuclear Pakistan, America must act. Ironically, The Guardian called for peaceful diplomacy with Pakistan in 2017, which it accused Trump of “shunning.” In the words of The Guardian: “attempts to strong-arm Islamabad could push it deeper into a growing alliance with China and Russia, and lead to more instability.” Yet after four years of an appeasing Biden regime, Pakistan has escalated its threats. Trump had it right when he considered a “harsher stance” to deter Pakistan for its support of jihadist groups in Afghanistan.
Appeasement never works with jihadists, but leftists are immune to accepting this reality.
