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Bin Laden, Osama

Pakistan Named as US' Greatest Enemy in Af-Pak Region

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United States' greatest enemy in the Af-Pak region is not al Qaeda, but Pakistan, Afghanistan's former spy chief Amrullah Saleh claimed in a CBS News interview. Saleh, who has been the CIA's lead source on Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for years, stated that the title of 'ally' given to Pakistan is 'deceptive'. He suggested that Pakistan should be labeled a "hostile country, a hostile state" due to its long-term support for al Qaeda and its allies battling U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The U.S. president's counterterrorism chief, John Brennan, also pointed the finger at Pakistan after Bin Laden's death, stating that it's "inconceivable" he did not have a support system in the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • Amrullah Saleh, Afghanistan's former spy chief, considers Pakistan the US' greatest enemy in the Af-Pak region, citing its long-term support for al Qaeda.
  • Saleh suggests that Pakistan's title of 'ally' is "deceptive" and proposes that it should be labeled a "hostile country, a hostile state".
  • The U.S. president's counterterrorism chief, John Brennan, implies that Pakistan provided support to Bin Laden, stating that it's "inconceivable" he did not have a support system in the country.
  • The U.S. is closely watching Pakistan's actions, waiting to see who they will "cough up" now that the heat is on them, according to a top US counterterrorism official.
  • The U.S. has an eye on al Qaeda's No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, who are both believed to be protected inside Pakistan, along with other significant leaders.

Statistics:

  • The U.S. has suspended $800 million in military aid to Pakistan due to concerns over its aid and support for extremist groups.
  • Pakistan has been described as the US' "greatest enemy" in the Af-Pak region by Afghanistan's former spy chief, Amrullah Saleh.
  • Bin Laden was killed in a top-secret operation in Pakistan's Abbottabad city, where he had evaded capture for a decade.
  • Saleh stated that Pakistan has inflicted "unprecedented pain" on the U.S. in the past 12 years.

Sources:

  • Asian News International (ANI) - Copyright 2011 Asian News International (ANI) - All Rights Reserved.

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