New Delhi: Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has lashed out at Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir over his alleged nuclear war threats, likening him to “Osama bin Laden in a suit” and accusing Islamabad of acting like a rogue state.
The controversy stems from reported remarks by Munir in Tampa, Florida, where he allegedly warned that if Pakistan “goes down, it would take half the world down” with it — a statement made in the presence of US military officials. India has formally condemned the comments, calling them typical “nuclear sabre-rattling” and regretting that they were made from the soil of a friendly third country.
Speaking to ANI, Rubin said Pakistan’s nuclear threats on American soil were “completely unacceptable” and could embolden terrorists to “go rogue” with nuclear weapons. He argued that Munir’s rhetoric mirrors that of the Islamic State and raises doubts over Pakistan’s ability to act as a responsible state.
Rubin urged the international community to consider a “managed decline” for Pakistan, including recognition of regions like Balochistan as independent, and even hinted at future military action to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. He further called for the US to revoke Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally, expel it from US Central Command, and designate it a state sponsor of terrorism.
“Asim Munir should be declared persona non grata in the US and denied a visa, along with any Pakistani official, until Pakistan explains and apologises for such behaviour,” Rubin said.
