Trump's big strategic misconception in withholding $255M in aid from Pakistan: They like it, but they're not dependent on it. Sure, it's a lot of money to the Trump organization. But it's 0.08% of Pakistan's GDP ($284B). And 2.9% of Pakistan's annual military budget ($8.7B).
-
-
Millions might buy one US politician, but not a whole country. What it gets is access, influence, and intelligence sharing. The important question is not whether Pakistan does everything the US wants (of course they don't), it's whether the US benefits from the aid (it does).
Show this thread -
Follow up: Pakistan's foreign minister says his country won't be treated like America's "whipping boy." Maybe this blows over and Pakistan acquiesces to Trump's (not well specified) demands. More likely, it does lasting damage to the relationship.https://www.wsj.com/articles/pakistan-says-alliance-with-u-s-is-over-1515155860 …
Show this thread -
For Pakistan's government, bowing down in response to a threat is worse domestically than pushing back. This is the problem with misconceiving of US aid to Pakistan as a lot of money: The government likes it, but doesn't really need it. Domestic political support is more valuable
Show this thread -
Already, the Pakistani government bucks public opinion by working with the US as much as it does, providing supply lines into Afghanistan, and sharing intelligence and looking the other way on US drone strikes. Trump's undermining that to "save" 77 cents per American. Yes, cents.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Any chance it could speed up these joint Pak/China forces to guard CPEC projects?
-
I don't know. Hard to say.
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Given how many trillions U.S. companies & billionaires have overseas and way
#TaxScamBill erodes middle class, I think it’s a combination of both. This is more than an opening for China & will create a web of problems we will spend a generation undoing - if we even can.Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.