Editorial

Deconstructing the McCain plan

McCain strategy threatens ‘graduated diplomatic, military, and economic costs’ on Pakistan

Editorial August 15, 2017

The 80-year-old was diagnosed with brain cancer less than two weeks ago, after doctors discovered a brain tumour when the lawmaker underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye.PHOTO: Reuters

US Senator John McCain released an integrated civil-military plan for Afghanistan late last week and though input for the plan was sought from ex-US military and intelligence officials, it is not the Trump administration’s official policy which has been delayed for some inexplicable reason. However, there is sufficient cause for alarm by Pakistanis because the McCain strategy threatens ‘graduated diplomatic, military, and economic costs’ on Pakistan in case it continues to provide sanctuary and support to groups like the Taliban and the Haqqani Network. US National Security Adviser H R McMaster and other senior aides to President Donald Trump have dropped enough hints about adopting just such a strategy. It may be pointed out that since McCain is a much more experienced and deft reader of the South Asian regional political situation than all of Trump’s aides put together and his viewpoint does not exclude the possibility of imposing sanctions against Pakistan then it would be difficult for the US administration to argue against the move.

For Islamabad this constant expectation from Washington that it ought to do more against the Taliban and other militant outfits has started to resemble a wonky CD player that plays the same song over and over again. Pakistan has done more than in its part in stubbing out the flames of insurgency in Afghanistan. Yet Washington, like Kabul, has chosen to scapegoat Pakistan; it would be fairer if it accepted its own shortcomings and that of the Afghan National Army.

Woven into McCain’s strategy is a recounting of possible benefits that could accrue from a long-term US-Pakistan strategic partnership. Recognising Pakistan as one of the most important actors in Afghanistan, a role that the US Defence Department has publicly acknowledged this summer, McCain seeks a constructive role from the country as Washington pursues a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict. Given the tricky, fragile and complex regional relationships, the US senator hopes to work through flexible frameworks to advance the goal of regional cooperation on border security, intelligence sharing and trade. But a lot more is required to reduce mistrust and build confidence among regional players. Similar efforts have failed in the past.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2017.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

COMMENTS (1)

oats | 7 years ago | Reply The US likes to blame everything on Pakistan and continue with the do more advice. Both India and Afghanistan have been successful in creating this fiction when they responsible for so much unrest in Pakistan. No one has suffered as much as common people in Pakistan. The way to stop this blame game is for Pakistan to seal the border with Afghanistan and repatriate all the Afghan refugees. The US can help with building a wall, mine the entire border and help with surveillance like it has across the border with Mexico to keep out illegal migrants. If it helps Pakistan do the same, there will be no further do more talk since there cannot be any movement across the border.

Replying to X