22 Comments
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Maria khan's avatar

The article says Trump lied, the CIA knew he lied, the courts confirmed the guy was a nobody and still treats the arrest like a geopolitical earthquake. So… what are we reading? An exposé or a political sci-fi novella?

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Abeera's avatar

The guy they called the “mastermind” of Abbey Gate was literally raising chickens in Quetta. FBI confirmed he did recon on a road. That’s it. And yet, we’re told his arrest is shaping U.S. grand strategy. Someone’s overdosing on symbolism.

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Syeda589's avatar

An interagency battle is unfolding in Washington.” No. What’s unfolding is a narrative spiral because someone needed content that connects Trump, China, Pakistan, India, and the Deep State — in one piece. Congrats, you forced it.

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Rizwana Ali's avatar

Oh Wow! I am shocked how complicated and convoluted U.S intelligence and Pakistan military relationship has been. Sadly Pakistan and its people are the only ones who have suffered over the years, whereas the military got corrupted and has prospered over the years leaving Pakistani citizens poorer and helpless.

I am hoping Trump administration will focus on civil government of Pakistan rather than military power for a change.

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Ed Protas's avatar

Don't overlook all the suffering brought about in Afghanistan by this toxic relationship. The ISI almost makes the CIA look good by comparison.

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Rizwana Ali's avatar

I agree.

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Ed Protas's avatar

The relationship between Pakistan and the CIA is, and has been, about as radioactive as it could possibly be. Everything it touches becomes toxic and deadly. See Steve Coll, “Ghost Wars” and “Descent into Chaos”, and Tim Weiner, “Legacy of Ashes”. And yet these games go on and on, to the benefit of no one. Elected representatives seem incapable and/or unwilling to do anything about, and so the death and destruction goes on and on. This story simply shows that not much has changed on the playing field. I can’t decide if this is tragedy or farce.

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Kathleen McCroskey's avatar

It's both, it's called US Foreign Policy.

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JL's avatar

"...Your 401k is probably also on fire, with the market crashing after Trump launched across-the-board tariffs ... If you have any money left at the end of the day..."

We all know that markets & business abhor uncertainty.

The 401Ks I held when working were all geared to price of the assets they held, not on the dividends those assets paid. It might not be until next week but I suggest that the markets will attenuate. I would also suggest the tariffs imposed are intended to get discussions going between trading partners.

I am also waiting for the (D) to find a judge to issue a restraining order, temporary or not, to roll back the imposed tariffs which will inject further uncertainty into things.

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Alisouness's avatar

Agree, Trump wants to be The Man, who does great deals (re tariffs). we are in unknown territory .as to how this will unfold .my thinking is it will encourage the trading partners to work together. And has forged an unfavorable attitude to American products

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Kathleen McCroskey's avatar

Uncertainty? Kicking the legs out from under the world economic situation like this is going to make the Depression look like a picnic.

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JL's avatar

What do you mean by "world economic situation"?

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Kathleen McCroskey's avatar

The entire world economic situation is propped on spindly legs of debt and leveraged debt and Collateralized Loan Obligations (bundled corporate loans) and any unnecessary shock can crash the entire mess. At some point, the Fat Cats will sweep their chips off the table creating yet another "bear run" (like 1929, 2008) leaving everyone else in poverty.

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JL's avatar

Sounds like you are mainly concerned about 1) the just under $37 trillion U.S. national debt, 2) the practice of extending loans to companies with already outstanding loans, and 3) loan securitization, all of which were present prior to the last election (I read the debt was somewhere around $36 trillion at the end of Biden's term). Did I get that right?

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Kathleen McCroskey's avatar

Yes, some of it. The other part is the massive printing of money needed for US to pay for imports is what underpins the US$ as world-reserve currency. This admin is too stupid to see that, that US is world's largest exporter of debt, and the other nations are stuck with paying that off, or defaulting. So everyone needs to stop accepting US$ as payment for their exports to US, with each accepted dollar you just accept another dollar of debt. US sovereign default is not far away.

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JL's avatar

Had Harris been elected president I presume she would have stayed the policy course that Biden had charted which, unless I am mistaken, included the Treasury print $. If that was the case, how would that have been a better approach?

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Kathleen McCroskey's avatar

The fact that the choice in governance was between those two weevils, demonstrates yet again the total failure of the so-called governance structure in that failing Empire, USA. Not to mention that the pathetic constitution was never able to prevent either a blithering schmuck from becoming a priktator or allow pure air-heads to seek high office. Total reform is necessary, meanwhile USA has zero credibility on the world stage.

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JL's avatar

Not really getting what you are saying here. Perhaps the Soviet model is what you wish for. Regardless, have a good weekend.

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Kathleen McCroskey's avatar

No, Trump obviously wishes for the Soviet or Orban model. The american revolution (1776, not "Liberation Day") threw out centuries workable parliamentary tradition and replaced it with nonsense. Read federalist Papers #10. It's a long road to build a democracy in USA, and it could start with certain people, they don't need to admit making a mistake, just admit they were lied to. Instead of seeing they were abused by capitalism, the wished for extreme capitalism, and will suffer even worse now.

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Yasmeen Hydari's avatar

I feel so sad when I read that Pakistan is in a dire state .. but the military is doing there own thing without a care .. bajwa was saying one thing to Imran khan as army chief of staff and then betraying Imran khan and the citizens of Pakistan making a deal with CIA /biden. and a gang of Pakistan military generals, with old old Punjabi corrupt bald brothers,who are waiting for any kind of money or favor from USA they will do any kind of deception or corruption or incompetence money is the best incentive..

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Kathleen McCroskey's avatar

Thank you, this reporting exists nowhere else!

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Yasmeen Hydari's avatar

Pakistan needs a change for the better , unfortunately the CIA the pentagon or Capitol Hill are incapable of anything positive or constructive, they are so entrenched in getting a deal with the army to make money..CIA can only do nasty things .. so god bless the nations that USA and their different institutions .. are all rouge

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