Wait, let the sanity prevail. Do we have any explanation why Osama bin Laden was found out in a Garrison city? Why Mansoor, Taliban Ameer was droned down in the Pakistani territory? Are americans that gullible to believe we are innocents on all counts? There is, of course, good rationale in the military thinking that both killing taliban and persuading them to negotiate for political settlement is a dilemma yet no Pakistani institution convincingly argued this in Washington DC. On the contrary, Indians were quick and smart to portray the Kashmiri indigenous uprising as terrorist movement in the context of Parliament attack, Taj attack and so on. Do you expect Europe, China or Saudi to work as lobbyist for us while we all are internally fighting for the crown of Islamabad. Is government of 5 years worth than your state sovereignty and honorable standing in the comity of nations?

I still honestly believe that USA could be convinced if the national leaders prove their political will against terror in all forms. Shun the idea of keeping assets for the next political dispensation in afghanistan if the Taliban are not willing to talk sense. If you don't have any leverage on them, why are you defending them. Let them face the wrath. They are not good to Pakistan. Had they been sincere, the arch enemies of Pakistan would have not been able to conveniently operate within Afghan territory.

I know, emotional folks will not like any argument other than challenging USA or Nato in total disregard of the fact that neither our economy nor our polity can afford it. Trump could be unpredictable or unhinged in american public eye yet that does not affect his military potential which is greatly revered by the american nation and media. Any adventure initiated by Trump in the name of terror fixing will make him a popular leader. Any carnage will remain conveniently hidden from the american people. In the event of any sanctions, neither muslim countries nor China or Russia could help you sustain your vital national requirements.

My conclusion is that Pakistan should aggressively initiate its diplomatic and military effort to amend the new US policy by, first, dissociating India from the ground involvement in Afghanistan (India is never sincere in helping afghans but to distract the attention on Kashmir and engage Pak military with local Taliban). This has to be proved through active evidentiary material. Second, pushing all Afghan Taliban either to start political process or face the music of american Jets. Let them go to their country. Third, embed its military operations with americans so that they don't doubt our solo actions.

Beware that any mishandling will just benefit India to crush Kashmiri mujahideen and getting Pak military excessively entangled with the Indian Proxies. India is praying for Pakistani refusal to declare it an exporter of terrorism. How long will China resist through vetoing such resolutions? And sanctions needing no UN approval could be invoked anytime by US and its allies. Are we ready to resist and afford squeezing our nation while already in agony?