Few weeks prior to the brief by Sullivan, the Pentagon had also issued a new defence strategy that puts China and Russia above jihadism as the main threats to America. We must continue to resort to the soft power of able, consistent, patient and sustained diplomacy which is vital to ward off the threats we face. Even if it is behind-the-scenes diplomacy like the reported meeting between the National Security Advisers of India and Pakistan last year. Because credibility in international relations means ‘why the world listens to you?’ Is the world listening to us? If the US and India have collated to enhance their political, economic, diplomatic and military standing, then so be it.

Source: The Express Tribune February 10, 2018 03:56 UTC