Kissinger expressed these views in response to a question during an event titled “Afghanistan – Is there a regional endgame?”, organised by the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, a Washington-based think tank with a focus on US foreign policy.
The crowd was packed – as it usually is when the doctor is speaking – at the event where several other experts also spoke about the role Afghanistan’s neighbours might play in the region as the US withdraws its forces. Kissinger contended that the effect of a US withdrawal would be greater on the regional players than on the US itself.
In a voice that still has the thick German accent of his native Bavaria, the doctor laid out a theme that was consistently present in his latest book about China: that US foreign policy was too impatient. “One of the problems is that there is a belief that solutions to problems could be reached in a finite period of time.”
Kissinger remains, as ever, a proponent of realpolitik, which was evident in the way he talked about Pakistan’s strategic objectives in Afghanistan. “Their objectives were not identical to the US, and could not be identical from their (Pakistan’s) point of view.” As a result, he said, Pakistan not only tolerates sanctuaries, but also at some level encourages these safe havens.
Other speakers were equally circumspect about the limits of US capabilities in the region. The US has bad relations with the two countries that matter most in the region – Iran and Pakistan – said Vali Nasr, a professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a former member of Richard Holbrooke’s team.
Both countries were ready to help the US leave, but not support the strategy, and were planning for a post-US scenario, said Nasr. He added that there was a lack of trust in the region in the United States’ strategy.
When asked about Imran Khan’s rally, Nasr said that the PTI’s rise is a warning sign to the US. Imran Khan has come up on an anti-American agenda, and the United States should pay attention to the story, said Nasr, describing the PTI rally in Lahore as more important than in the past week stories about the Haqqani network.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2011.
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@Eye Opener:
I must admit. Well said.
Uncle Sam
@j. von hettlingen: God will let Kessinger kn ow how intelligent he really is.
@Asif: This didn't start in 1953. Humans started sticking their nose in other peoples business when they were put on this earth by the most merciful. If I was God, I probably would have put about 90% in Hell by now.
Imran Khan is a man of God. He is ALL about justice. We don't need spin masters who can mesmorize people with their fancy words. The Quran is so right when it says that most humans are deaf dumb and blind and will never see the truth.
Let be clear with you all.
This interference in the Muslim world began in 1953 when Mohammed Mossadeq of Iran was removed from power in a coup backed by the US.
Why was he removed? He was elected and supported by the Iranians.
The reason he was removed and replaced with a puppet Shah was because he nationalized Iranian oil. That was the singular reason he was removed
Terrorism is a subjected term. To the Muslim, civilized, free, and peace loving world, the terrorists are those who invade other peoples land for resources such as OIL.
The Vietnam was was started on a false pretext of being attacked by Vietnam (Golf of Tonkin). The Iraq war was also started on pretext of Weapons of Mass Destruction which the Bush himself appeared to say was a mere excuse (joking about it at White House Correspondent Dinner).
And such, the war in Afghanistan was also started on lies. The fact of the matter is, the US declared war on Afghanistan in 1998.
Secondly, the US has a series of starting wars as the aggressor. The US started wars with Korea, Iraq, Vietnam, Iraq II, Afghanistan, and most recently has now invaded Uganda (for oil) just a few weeks ago.
The fact is the US has lost.
There is no more denying this.
The West needs to leave the Muslim world alone, and buy oil at the market price otherwise perhaps one day, the Muslim dominated OPEC will hike the price of a barrel of OIL to $1000. One day perhaps the West will revert back to the Dark Ages.
And judging from the way things are going, that day may not be far off. Who would have thought Western puppet Hosni Mubarak would be sitting in jail?
Also, be mindful that regional countries such as Iran and China are already discussing a global reserve.
Henry Kissinger might be a proponent of realpolitik, but he's much more intelligent than those neo-cons, who were in the entourage of Bush II and got America into war with Afghanistan and Iraq. "The US has bad relations with the two countries that matter most in the region – Iran and Pakistan"... True, and the two know this as well
@US CENTCOM: Maj Nevers, you have your opinion and I have mine. You need your opinion to justify your presence in a country you had no right to invade and provide you a fig leaf to hide your shame. We lived in peace with the Afghans for hundreds of years and will continue to do so after you all leave. Please go away and make whatever excuses you need to cover your defeat - none should challenge them as it is a small price to pay to be rid of your armies. The Kuwaiti and Chinese companies got the contracts because they outbid you; you could not outbid them because you no longer have the financial power to do so. You blew away your money on making the owners of your military products manufacturers rich; now your COUNTRY is broke and going down fast. When will good people like you realize you have been gypped? My best advice, go home and let other countries sort out thier problems. Peace on you and your friends. Go away. Now. The sooner the better. NO ONE IS DEPENDING ON YOU TO KEEP THE WORLD PEACEFUL.
who are the terrorists? The only terrorists I see are US and NATO
they need to leave the region alone, and stop interfering in the Muslim world and installing puppets.
Think tanks meetings and lectures do not constitute the official government policies, nor are they endorsed by our government. Having said that, they are taken somewhat seriously as the speakers are of importance, but their statements should be taken with a dash of salt.
Dear Parvez Amin, The United States is not a “loser,” nor is it defeated in any way. We came to Afghanistan to fight a group that had terrorized the world and we have almost succeeded in wiping them out! Does that constitute defeat in your mind? Your list of accusations is totally ridiculous. We are not in Afghanistan for its resources. Remember this was said about us in Iraq – We are there to steal its oil -- but that was proven totally wrong as most of the oil field contracts have gone to Chinese or Kuwaiti companies. We know what our mission has been in Afghanistan, and soon we will be drawing down from there as well after the Afghan security forces take full responsibility for their security. It is important for all to understand that all we wish for is a secure and stable Afghanistan, which is not only important for world peace but especially for its neighbors.
Maj David Nevers DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
@Sao Lao:
There is nothing similar between Afghanistan and Pakistan culture, nothing at all. It is your pipe dream.
If there is start explaining what it is. Really, Sindh and Punjab which is the center of Pakistan's power base more in common with North India than Afghanistan.
whatever his past is, kissinger has advocated a fair approach. every nation ha right to differ with other on the basis of its interest. pak has the right as well as US. Further Vali's comment about IK is unfounded. he is not anti US but its policies in the regional context.Such so called experts should not be taken seriously
'When asked about Imran Khan’s rally, Nasr said that the PTI’s rise is a warning sign to the US. Imran Khan has come up on an anti-American agenda, and the United States should pay attention to the story, said Nasr, describing the PTI rally in Lahore as more important than in the past week stories about the Haqqani network.'
Above statement should be eye opener for those who propound the pro-west democracy loving great nations. West will never allow real people empowerment in countries like us. They want their stooges in power in these countries who should follow their strategies. They regard Imran Khan even more dangerous than Haqqani network!!!! May Allah open the eyes of our people and wake them up from deep slumber. Ameen
War criminal !!!!
Vali Nasar has rightly clubbed Iran and Pakistan together- there concerns are common, they need to evolve a joint strategy.
The US has been revealed for what it is. A loser: militarily defeated; economy damaged; whining to be allowed to leave with dignity - not possible; asking others to clean up the mess they made and continue to make; not willing to admit they were wrong; a schemer causing bad blood between neighbors; making money by supplying arms to both sides, trying to loot the natural wealth of countries instead of entering into buying agreements... the list goes on. In summary, the American man on the street, mostly decent but overly childish, led be a bunch of thugs who have had their b**ts kicked and now don't know how to admit to all the lies they have been selling.
The right way: admit you were wrong; offer to make ammends and beg that your offer be accepted; go in and repair all the damage done; live in peace and trade; start making plough shares instead of swords; stay in your own country and leave its shores only to trade. .
Finally, I remember Mr Kissinger with distaste. He is the one who threatened to make a 'horrible' example of Pakistan. He is one of the 'ugliest Americans' in the long string of 'ugly Americans' who tried to impose their will on the rest of the world - and failed.
I find it interesting that the "regional experts" tend to be of Indian decent or selected Pakistanis that have a tilt towards the US based on previous publications. If you want to hear a particular narrative and you keep inviting everyone that reinforces that narrative, you will end up with a myopic strategic vision!
"Kissinger, in his remarks, added that that one of the problems is that there was a belief that solutions to problems could be reached in a finite period of time."
What does he mean by this? Is he against putting a time line to the solution of a problem? Anybody, plz enlighten.
Kissinger, when asked about the Pakistan problem, said that Pakistan’s problem is long term, and depends on how Pakistan could find a national identity that is not based on ‘a fear of India’.
How well they know us! Inside out.
The long term national identity problem of Pakistan has not only lead to fear India. But its more deep rooted. Pakistani military lead established first alienated its people in quest of an ill founded identity, resulting in giving birth to Bangladesh. It did not learn any lesson from dismemberment but continued the same policy and imposed worst military dictatorships, and indirect military rules till date.
This identity problem lead its foreign policy to serve as a client nation at the cost of its neighbors- 30 years bloodshed in Afghanistan has cost us hugely and held us responsible more than any one else. We are told about good relationship with KSA but at the cost of Iran our next door neighbor. With China also things are not as smooth or friendly as being boosted by Pakistani establishment, our so called Islamic Identity has somehow been related to China's domestic problems in Xinjiang and elsewhere. We are not at peace with any single neighboring country in true sense of international ethics and morality.
Solution of Afghanistan lies with Pakistan. Let Pakistan take charge of affairs and see how quick the change occurs. No outsiders (yes india included) can ever understand the psyche of Afghan people. Pakistan happens to have the key due to its mutal cultural history of Local Pashtuns and Pashtuns of other side
I agree with Faraz and I would also like to add that Imran is not entirely or simplistically anti-Amrican. He is against America's policies in the region. He has a different interpretation of how terrorism should be dealt with and that involves negotiating with the tribes in FATA and using them to seperate the real terrorists. He is against the use of military force against a civilian population and he has every right to take that position. These so called experts would be better off recognizing the real gravity of the situation rather than passing off simplistic remarks about Imran Khan being anti-American.
Yes Henry Kissinger, the genius behind Vietnam and Cambodia, whose solution to fighting the threat of socialism (that too elected democratically by the people) was to bring in Pinochet. Yes ask him what the end game should look like and he would recommend turning Afghan, Pak and Iran into state extensions of the United States.
Pakistan should ignore the politics of Afghanistan and let the Afghanistan and US sort it out.
Such policies should focus on limiting the sanctuaries for the Afghan dissident groups, whoever they are, in Pakistan.
That is what India did when Nepal, Mayanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even when Pakistan was going through the turmoil.
India centric policies of the last 60 years did not do well for PAK. Now, it appears that Afghan centric policies will choke Pakistan for another 30 years, at least.
pakistan wants to see a return of taleban to afganistan because: 1) uneducated and technologically inferior afghanistan can never challenge pakistan. Also it can have influence in afghanistan to an extent it can use afghan men and territory to plan attacks against India. 2) taleban will ask for favours in terms of logistic,arms and ammunition for al qaeda to use against western forces as they know west will not have the will to go back again to attack afghanistan. 3) this will make pakistan hugely influential in the region.
Former US Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr Henry Kissinger has no right to give his opinion. He is wanted on serious charges and cannot even travel outside the US. Kissinger should not be giving advise before he gets him name cleared. These Republicans have always supported mullahs, warlords, and military dictators of worst kind. They (not the common people of USA) are the ones who have created these problems in the first place.
What he is awarded Nobel Peace prize, I can't believe. If he can be awarded then I believe Altaf 'bhai log' must be awarded at once.
I must congratulate tribune for putting up such awesome pictures.
Here u go father in law speaks now with all pre paid guest workers from neighbouring countries....
Vali is wrong. Religious parties are the real torch bearers of anti-Americanism as they are the real beneficiaries of jihadi enterprise which US wants to dismantle, but they couldn’t convert anti US rhetoric into electoral victory. Imran mainly represents a change from the traditional politics and political parties that have been tried and tested many times
The senile old goat is running the real america. Beware of "black hats"