Trump’s Pakistan pressure is a test of Afghan strategy

The Trump administration’s strategy for ending the war in Afghanistan and defeating terror groups in the region faces its first major test in its confrontation with Pakistan.

In a tweet this week, President Trump said Pakistan’s government has played the United States for “fools” and received nothing but “lies & deceit” in return for $ 33 billion in aid over the past 15 years.

On Thursday the administration said it was suspending security assistance to Pakistan, including $ 255 million in military aid this year.

Putting pressure on Pakistan’s government to change its policies toward Afghanistan is central to the Trump administration’s strategy to stabilize the region and bring an end to America’s longest war.

Pakistan is considered critical because its links to the Taliban insurgents fighting the U. S.- backed Afghan government could help convince militants to reach a political reconciliation.

“The senior ( Taliban) leadership still resides in Pakistan,” said Gen. John Nicholson, the top U. S. commander in Afghanistan.

“We have got to see movement on this reduction of sanctuary and support for those insurgents and terrorists operating from Pakistan who are attacking our forces and our coalition ... as well as the Afghans, inside this country,” Nicholson has said.

Pakistan has been frustrating successive administrations since 2001, when U. S. troops ousted the Taliban regime in Afghanistan for providing a safe haven for Osama bin Laden.

On Thursday, the Trump administration notched up its criticism of Pakistan when the State Department included Pakistan on a list of countries that violate religious freedoms.

The $ 33 billion Trump referred to represents all U. S. military and economic aid to Pakistan since 2002, though the sum has been declining.