Former CIA Officer Warns Pakistan of Conventional War Loss and Reveals US-Pakistan Deal

Strategic Insights -

Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has made a stark warning to Pakistan that it "cannot win a conventional war against India" and that the country's interests are being harmed by provoking New Delhi. In an interview, Kiriakou, who served 15 years in the CIA, including as chief of counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, stated that Pakistan's loss in a conventional war would be inevitable, regardless of whether nuclear weapons are used or not. He attributed this to Pakistan's military and intelligence establishment being more interested in fighting India than Al-Qaeda.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan cannot win a conventional war against India, according to former CIA officer John Kiriakou.
  • During Kiriakou's tenure, the US provided millions and millions of dollars in aid to Pakistan under then-President Pervez Musharraf, essentially "buying" his cooperation.
  • The US allegedly paid tens of millions in cash to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency under Musharraf.
  • Pakistan's support for terrorism in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attacks, was an "open secret" even during those incidents.
  • Kiriakou expressed concern about the Pentagon's alleged control over Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in the early 2000s.
  • The US-Saudi relationship is transactional, with the US providing weapons in exchange for oil.
  • Pakistan's military and intelligence establishment are more interested in fighting India than Al-Qaeda.

Statistics:

  • The US spent "millions and millions of dollars" in aid to Pakistan under President Musharraf.
  • The US allegedly paid tens of millions in cash to Pakistan's ISI agency under Musharraf.
  • The 2008 Mumbai attacks were allegedly supported by Pakistani-backed Kashmiri groups.

Sources:

  • ANI (Associated News of India)
  • Times of India