Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin condemns Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s nuclear threat
calls for diplomatic measures
WASHINGTON: Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has strongly condemned Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir’s recent nuclear threat during his visit to the United States, drawing sharp comparisons to terrorist Osama bin Laden. In an interview with ANI, Rubin described Munir’s rhetoric as reminiscent of the language once used by bin Laden, stating, “Asim Munir is Osama bin Laden in a suit.”
Rubin called for the US government to declare General Munir persona non grata, emphasizing that Pakistan’s nuclear threats made on American soil are “completely unacceptable.” He questioned Pakistan’s capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of a sovereign state, suggesting it may be time to reconsider its international standing.
Referring to Munir’s address at an event in Tampa, Florida, where the general reportedly declared, “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us,” Rubin expressed disappointment that US military officials did not walk out of meetings with the Pakistan army chief, stating, “The fact that US Generals did not walk out of any meeting with Asim Munir should be a cause for resignation.”
Rubin further argued that Pakistan should lose its status as a major non-NATO ally, calling instead for the country to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism and removed from the US Central Command’s list of partners. He insisted that no Pakistani official, including Munir, should be granted American visas until Pakistan provides a satisfactory explanation and apology for the threats.
India criticising Munir’s remarks, described them as “nuclear sabre-rattling” and expressed serious concerns about the integrity of Pakistan’s nuclear command and control. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pointed to Pakistan’s military establishment’s connections with terrorist groups as a key factor undermining trust. The MEA called it “regrettable” that such threatening comments were made from the soil of a friendly third country.
India however reaffirmed its position and declared that it will not yield to nuclear blackmail and will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its national security.
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Prasidh, Kuldeep limit South Africa to 270 after De Kock's hundred
Visakhapatnam (PTI): India fought back gallantly through Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav after Quinton de Kock struck his 23rd hundred, keeping South Africa to a manageable 270 in the third and series-deciding final ODI, here Saturday.
India won the toss after judging the spin of the coin incorrectly 20 times in a row. They had little hesitation in inserting the Proteas into bat, a clear indication of dew factor dominating the thought.
After Arshdeep Singh sent back Ryan Rickelton early, De Kock (106, 89b, 8x4, 6x4) struck his seventh century against India and put on 113 runs off 124 balls with skipper Temba Bavuma (48, 67b) as the visitors moved to a healthy position.
De Kock was severe on Prasidh (4/66), who erred on length continuously in his first spell (2-0-27-0). The left-hander biffed the pacer for 6, 6, 4 in his second over to milk 18 runs.
The 32-year-old quickly pounced on anything that was short, and pacers Prasidh and Harshit offered him plenty of feed on his pet areas.
Bavuma was more sedate, and made runs through those typical dabs and jabs, occasionally unfurling a drive of elan.
De Kock moved to fifty in 42 balls, and never let the tempo down reaching his hundred in 79 balls.
India found temporary relief when Ravindra Jadeja induced a false slash from Bavuma to get caught by Virat Kohli at point.
The tourists got another move on through a 54-run partnership between De Kock and Matthew Breetzkle for the third wicket, and at 168 for two in 28 overs they were in a good position to press on.
But Breetzke's punishment of part-time spinner Tilak Varma forced a rethink in the Indian camp, as skipper KL Rahul brought back Prasidh for a second spell.
What a masterstroke it turned out to be! The Karnataka man broke the back of South Africa’s top and middle order in an exceptional second spell (4-0-11-3).
Breetzke was the first man to go, trapped plumb in front with a straight one and four balls later Aiden Markram uppishly chipped a fuller delivery to Kohli at short covers.
Prasidh soon castled De Kock, whose ugly cross-batted swipe failed to connect a full length delivery from the pacer.
All of a sudden, SA found themselves at a shaky 199 for five, losing three wickets in the space of three overs.
Once Prasidh was done away with the top and middle-order, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (4/41) took over and mopped up the tail as SA fell short of even a par total on this track.
