Why American Presidents Love Pakistani Strongmen Like Asim Munir

2 comments

1. Briefly; it’s a combination of periodic geopolitical necessities(involving China during the Cold War, then Afghanistan in 2001, and now Iran) and having someone at the boundary of Central Asia and the Middle East who can conveniently do whatever they can for you without any ethics, diplomacy, politics or bureaucracy getting in the way.

   As the author(who’s Pakistani) says, America’s relationship with Pakistan has only deteriorated during the periods when it was under legitimate civilian governments. Its dictators have been far easier to deal with.

2. Because dictators are easier to deal with than elected politicians. You want something from a country with a dictator? Just send a batch of guns and support their crackdowns on dissent and you have a loyal puppet.

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