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).
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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
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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.
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And I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chinese step in to fill the gap.
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Me neither
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Gonna make Afghanistan very painful.
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