Former Pentagon analyst Michael Rubin has launched a scathing attack on Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir, likening him to “Osama bin Laden in a suit” after Munir allegedly issued nuclear threats during a visit to the United States.
The controversy stems from Munir’s reported remarks in Tampa, Florida, where he allegedly warned that if Pakistan “goes down, it would take half the world down with it,” with threats aimed primarily at India and beyond. India swiftly condemned the comments as “nuclear sabre-rattling” and reiterated that it would not yield to nuclear blackmail.
Rubin accused Pakistan of acting like a rogue state, warning that instability could lead to terrorist groups gaining access to its nuclear arsenal. He urged strong U.S. measures including revoking Pakistan’s major non-NATO ally status, designating it as a state sponsor of terrorism, barring Munir from U.S. entry, and even considering military action to secure Pakistan’s nuclear weapons if necessary.
The former official also floated the idea of a “managed decline” of Pakistan through recognition of breakaway regions to reduce nuclear and terrorist threats. His remarks come amid heightened South Asian tensions following recent India-Pakistan conflicts, complicating Washington’s balancing act between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Rubin’s comparison underscores his view that Munir poses both an ideological and strategic danger on par with Osama bin Laden, warranting a decisive U.S. and international response.
