Trump has bizarre conversation with Pakistani leader

[Quixote1818]

Snip:

Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified, which leaves the United States in an awkward position. The Obama administration has made a concerted effort to strengthen U.S./India ties, while also delicately maintaining financial support for Pakistan.

Note, however, that President Obama is the first American president to ever visit India twice during his term, while Obama has not set foot in Pakistan.

Trump, who probably isn’t aware of the diplomatic balancing act, apparently signaled to Sharif a very different U.S. posture towards Pakistan – up to and including a presidential visit to the country.

If Trump does go to Pakistan, it risks alienating Indian allies. If Trump doesn’t visit after telling Sharif he would, it will further complicate an already difficult Pakistani relationship. And I can’t wait to hear what this means: “I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems.”

Electing a president who doesn’t know what he’s doing carries real consequences.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-has-bizarre-conversation-pakistani-leader

[gollygee]

1. Didn't Pakistan harbor Osama bin Laden?

Or am I remembering wrong?

[Quixote1818]

2. Here you go

The Pakistani government has staunchly denied that they even knew bin Laden was hiding in the Abbottabad compound, let alone that he was being protected by the ISI. Still, many have raised doubts about the plausibility of Pakistan's claims. And the country looks bad either way.

https://www.google.com/#q=Did+Pakistan+know+about+bin+laden

[gollygee]

4. Ah

I was busy having babies back then so I was focused on stuff other than world affairs. Thanks!

[MANative]

3. What conversation does Trump have that's NOT bizarre? n/t

[Barack_America]

5. This is the story of the day, IMO. A must read.

Unbelievable.

[erpowers]

6. Civics Test for Presidential Candidates

It may not have worked in 1999/2000, but wasn't it Barbara Walters who exposed George W. Bush as lacking foreign policy knowledge by asking him to name foreign leaders. Maybe, as part of running for president, presidential candidates should be asked to name foreign leaders and explain the relationships they have with the United States and their neighbors. Maybe Trump's inability to complete such a task would not have changed the minds of Trump supporters, but maybe it would have changed the minds of enough people that Hillary Clinton would have won the election regardless of voter suppression.