Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles poses a new threat to the U.S., according to Deputy National Security Advisor John Finer, reports Reuters.
John Finer, the U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, says that Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles presents an “emerging threat” to the United States.
According to Reuters, Finer stated in an interview with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Thursday, December 19, that Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missiles that could eventually allow the country to strike targets beyond South Asia.
He added that Pakistan is pursuing “advanced missile technology, ranging from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment that enables testing of much larger rocket engines.”
Finer continued, saying, “Therefore, it is hard for us to view Pakistan’s actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States.”
These remarks came a day after the U.S. imposed new sanctions on Pakistan’s missile development program, including sanctions against the country’s Defense Agency for the first time.
Two senior U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the U.S. concerns regarding Pakistan’s missile program are longstanding and stem from the size of the rocket engines being developed.
A senior U.S. official stated that the development of Pakistan’s ballistic missiles presents a threat to the United States for the next decade. While another U.S. official said that Pakistan does not accept the U.S. concerns, calling them “biased.”
He added that Pakistani officials argue that U.S. sanctions on Pakistan’s missile program are aimed at undermining the country’s ability to defend itself against India.
Pakistan views its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles as a deterrent against “aggression” from India and claims that its goal is to maintain regional stability.
The U.S. and Pakistan had extensive cooperation during the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but relations between the two countries have deteriorated since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The growing concerns over Pakistan’s missile program are reshaping the dynamics between the U.S. and Pakistan, which had previously shared security interests in the region. The development of long-range missiles by Pakistan could alter the balance of power in South Asia and escalate tensions with neighboring India.
Moving forward, it is essential for the international community to monitor the situation closely, as further missile advancements by Pakistan could have significant geopolitical implications for both the U.S. and regional stability.
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