U.S. President Joe Biden plans to nominate Donald Blome, currently ambassador to Tunisia, as his top diplomat in Pakistan as Washington works to manage the situation in neighboring Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American troops.
Biden on Tuesday will announce plans to nominate Blome to the job in Pakistan, the White House said. Blome is a career Foreign Service diplomat with long experience in the region who once worked in the Kabul embassy, shuttered earlier this year during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Pakistan is playing a major role in diplomacy with its Taliban-ruled neighbor.
Read more: Dr. Moeed Yusuf: Going in-depth on Pakistan’s Diplomacy
International agencies have warned that Afghanistan is on the verge of humanitarian collapse without access to aid or foreign reserves, which remain frozen in the United States.
Pakistan’s relationship with neighboring China has also been of interest to the Biden administration, which regards Beijing as its chief international rival.
President Joe Biden plans to nominate Donald Blome, currently ambassador to Tunisia, as his top diplomat in Pakistan as Washington.
https://t.co/oroe8dZwl2— Sabena Siddiqi (@sabena_siddiqi) October 20, 2021
Tunisia, where Blome has worked as ambassador since 2019, is an important diplomatic outpost for the United States in North Africa, representing interests beyond the country’s borders, including in neighboring Libya.
The ambassadorial position requires Senate confirmation.
Pakistan not trustworthy: Michael Maloof
On the point of the US relying on Pakistan to help infiltrate Afghanistan, Michael Maloof thinks it is not a good idea.
“If the US is indeed trying to find its way back in Afghanistan, even from the standpoint of gathering intel, is it wise to do this through Pakistan?” host Rick Sanchez asked.
“I don’t think so. I think Pakistan is questionable,” Michael Maloof responded.
He then said that the US did not even talk to Pakistan when it went into the country to terminate Osama Bin Laden.
Read more: Former Pentagon official says US shouldn’t trust Pakistan?
“Because the US doesn’t trust Pakistan?” Rick Sanchez asked.
“Correct. Secondly, Pakistan created the Afghan-Taliban. How can you trust someone who uses them as a proxy in effect against India and Kashmir,” Michael Maloof added.
However, the accusations appear to be biased.
Important to note, more than once, the United Nations accused India of human rights violations in Kashmir. On several occasions, India has been exposed to conducting mass terror activities in IIOJK.
Furthermore, Pakistan did not solely “create” the Taliban. The Taliban rose in the ’90s owing to a power vacuum in Afghanistan after the Soviet defeat by the Mujahideen, who had the CIA’s backing.
Read more: FM Qureshi’s reception of US diplomat shows Pakistan’s strong stance?
In addition, Pakistan remains the only country that consistently supported the US in its 20-year war against terror. Moreover, Pakistan has continuously called for peace in the region.
Reuters with additional input by GVS News Desk