Signs of unease

Letter November 30, 2021
Signs of unease

KARACHI:

On 24 November 2021, the US government blacklisted twenty-seven entities and individuals from China, Pakistan and Russia as “an extra-preventive measure to safeguard national security” and foreign policy interests. US officials alleged that these entities had contributed to uplifting Pakistan’s ballistic missile system. The step was taken without any concrete evidence.

This brings us to a very valid question: if the US really cares about nuclear proliferation then why hasn’t a single entity in India been banned? According to the South Asia Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI), 18 nuclear theft incidents have occurred from India between 1994 and 2021, in which the total amount of fissile material was calculated to be around 200kg. Could these materials have fallen into the hands of extremists or terrorists? Why has the US turned a blind eye towards India’s negligent attitude?

Such measures show blatant signs of panic and unease that has been stirred in the US following China’s claim of being the most powerful country in the world. The European Union is already thinking of re-assessing ties with the US after its recent defeat in Afghanistan. One needs to ponder over whether the hysteria behind such moves manifests the aftershock of the defeat in Afghanistan or the loosing hegemony over the world.

Nishwah Tahir

Pakpattan

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2021.

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