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Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer discusses the potential impact both politically and militarily of another US apology
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Let's talk a bit more about this now lieutenant colonel Tony -- of the center for advanced defense studies and author of operation dark heart and -- -- Always good to see and thanks so much for taking a few minutes -- -- -- -- just start by reading one of our viewer comments it just came in from Julie CB.
Pakistan.
Owes America.
An apology for hiding bin Laden they knew he was the air.
Another comment from ultra right is no apologies we don't owe anyone an apology for -- -- what's your view.
Absolutely.
On both points and let let's be very clear here Greg.
What happened to the Pakistani follow up on the death of bin Laden as much as they say we didn't know.
We did give them information and frankly my sources tell me.
That we have tried to push them to help us with our minds -- -- -- -- Who is really been seen as the real operational leader of all Qaeda for the past ten years and is now that the titular head of -- Qaeda so what happened there.
Next.
Catherine brought up the whole issue of this.
That the continuation of the agreement to have our supplies transit.
From Karachi but for the most part and Afghanistan has all it to land route.
We've paid them billions of dollars to allow the sort of thing to happen.
And yet you know we don't see a lot of effort on their part to actually move forward with and can actually do the things is necessary.
And -- it again on the Haqqani Network we UC Haqqani Network during that that the Soviet occupation Afghanistan.
So that the idea here that the Pakistan is good but could not be.
The idea they they they they can't be more helpful is insane they can be they choose not to be and it's -- is that -- point that's like a bad marriage.
The prospects of which.
You need to look at realistically and -- any in any marriage you gotta focus on the things your grip on an island and this is where we've not really done that yet.
Well look the Obama administration the president specifically has been criticized over the course of his administration from making all kinds of apologies.
Two other countries critics say it's a sign of weakness.
From the most powerful country in the world others might argue no it's it's sensitivity and humility.
We're ready to where do you fall -- -- -- is -- a sign of weakness.
You've got to understand your audience and as much as I think the American people want to see this be more kinder gentler.
And be more respectful and in this environment in this culture it is definitely seen is a sign of weakness I do believe Greg that the riots which.
Accompanied the apology we made regarding the Koran building.
Burning was much because of of of are not understanding situation.
That they were a very religious almost a conservative people to a point where they believe god controls everything.
-- should have pointed out somehow god willed the -- to be -- to be burned and you're in these individuals.
We're given the opportunity to pull them out of the fire to redeem themselves we have to understand it and look at it from their perspective.
And we should have put it in a term of did these and we gave these individuals a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of their god.
Not that we were wrong the more we say were wrong the more people pile onto that and I think we do deliver the wrong message we can express regret.
Things are tragic however we cannot say it's our fault and I think that's -- than the departures between what happened.
Cause the lower level ideology I mean it.
Isn't that colonel how it sometimes takes place -- -- from from one you know general to another general unanswered can not.
You know the head of a country.
Why you know you wanna have good relations Greg with people you're dealing with obviously I've been there for two tourist.
And you always have great respect amongst the people you're dealing with.
But again it's understanding.
Now there -- view the world arguably we don't really still even to this -- understand.
The the Afghan or Pakistani view the world and that's why we make these make these mistakes and see the -- -- -- now what what's the likelihood of our.
Being able to persuade the Pakistani government to hand over.
Information as to where I'm on Al zawahiri.
Is and and a great many people who are experts on the subject think he's.
As.
Bin Laden was it Pakistan.
Right.
All I think is Mullah Omar is to and it's a question of before they see -- point of diminishing returns -- and then diminish your -- this case will be the funds.
We pay the pakistanis a lot of money.
Right now one of the big debates points going back to the issue of transiting our our mercurial through Pakistan they -- to do they wanna charges 5000 dollars per container.
Which is a huge increase so that's what they have are are potentially gonna lose we budgeted something like 800 million dollars.
For the pakistanis to pay them for the provision moving things through there again if we're not going to be there in strength in Afghanistan all this money goes away.
And this is one of the -- we have to -- with them either you cooperate with us and we make progress or things are going to dry out and frankly the Afghan the Pakistan a country.
Depends greatly on the money we give them they are an economic basket case -- The current president sort prisoners are Daria is barely hanging on.
So we we need to cut a deal were really do -- -- help you here but you gotta help us here we've never done that well that's why we don't see progress.
And I colonel lieutenant colonel Tony Schaeffer center for advanced defense studies and author of operation dark -- always great -- colonel thanks so much.
If you thanks Greg.
