Exclusive: Trump administration eyes hardening line toward PakistanWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s administration is exploring hardening its approach toward Pakistan to crack down on Pakistan-based militants launching attacks in neighboring Afghanistan, two U.S. officials tell Reuters.  Potential Trump administration responses being discussed include expanding U.S. drone strikes, redirecting or withholding some aid to Pakistan and perhaps eventually downgrading Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally, the two officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other U.S. officials are skeptical of the prospects for success, arguing that years of previous U.S. efforts to curb Pakistan’s support for militant groups have failed, and that already strengthening U.S. ties to India, Pakistan’s arch-enemy, undermine chances of a breakthrough with Islamabad.  U.S. officials say generally they seek greater cooperation with Pakistan, not a rupture in ties, once the administration finishes a regional review, due by mid-July, of the strategy guiding the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan.  The discussions include officials from across the Trump administration, including the White House and the Defense Department, both of which declined comment on the review before its completion. Precise actions have yet to be decided. But Pakistan’s embassy in Washington warned against “scapegoating” Pakistan to explain the stalemate in Afghanistan, pointing instead to Afghanistan’s own troubled internal dynamics. It also noted past Pakistani efforts to battle militants and expressed willingness to work with the United States and Afghanistan on border management. “Singling out Pakistan and pinning the entire blame on Pakistan for the situation in Afghanistan is neither fair nor accurate, nor is it borne out by the ground realities,” said Abid Saeed, press minister at the embassy. Experts on America’s longest war argue that militant safe havens in Pakistan have allowed Taliban-linked insurgents a place to plot deadly strikes in Afghanistan and regroup after ground offensives.  Although long mindful of Pakistan, the Trump administration  in recent weeks has put more emphasis on the relationship with Islamabad in discussions as it hammers out a regional strategy to be presented to Trump, who took office in late January, one official said. “We’ve never really fully articulated what our strategy towards Pakistan is. The strategy will more clearly say what we want from Pakistan specifically,” the U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other U.S. officials question whether any mix of carrots and sticks can get Islamabad to change its behavior. At the end of the day, Washington needs a partner, even if an imperfect one, in nuclear-armed Pakistan, they say. The United States is again poised to deploy thousands more troops in Afghanistan, an acknowledgment that U.S.-backed forces are not winning and Taliban militants are resurgent. Without more pressure on militants within Pakistan who target Afghanistan, experts say additional U.S. troop deployments will fail to meet their ultimate objective: to pressure the Taliban to eventually negotiate peace. “I believe there will be a much harder U.S. line on Pakistan going forward than there has been in the past,” Hamdullah Mohib, the Afghan ambassador to the United States, told Reuters, without citing specific measures under review.  Kabul has long been critical of Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan.  Pakistan fiercely denies allowing any militants safe haven on its territory. It bristles at U.S. claims that Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) directorate, has ties to Haqqani network militants blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan. A senior Pakistani government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, doubted the Trump administration would press too hard, saying: “They don’t want to push Pakistan to abandon their war against terrorism.” Pakistani officials point towards the toll militancy has taken on the country. Since 2003, almost 22,000 civilians and nearly 7,000 Pakistani security forces have been killed as a result of militancy, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, which tracks violence. But the Pentagon, in a report to Congress released on Tuesday, explicitly accused elements of Pakistan’s government of supporting Afghanistan-focused militant groups, including the Taliban and Haqqani Network, who it said retained “freedom of action” within Pakistan.  It called Pakistan “the most influential external actor affecting Afghan stability.” Pakistan won the status as a major non-NATO ally in 2004 from the George Bush administration, in what was at the time seen in part as recognition of its importance in the U.S. battle against al Qaeda and Taliban insurgents. The status is mainly symbolic, allowing limited benefits such as giving Pakistan faster access to surplus U.S. military hardware. Yanking the title would be seen by Pakistan as a major blow. Some U.S. officials and experts on the region scoff at the title. “Pakistan is not an ally. It’s not North Korea or Iran. But it’s not an ally,” said Bruce Riedel, a Pakistan expert at the Brookings Institution think tank.  Lisa Curtis, prior to becoming senior director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council, co-authored a report with Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s former ambassador to Washington, in which they recommended the Trump administration warn Pakistan the status could be revoked in six months.  “Thinking of Pakistan as an ally will continue to create problems for the next administration as it did for the last one,” said the February report, published by the conservative Hudson Institute think tank. It was unclear how seriously the Trump administration was considering the proposal. The growing danger to Afghanistan from suspected Pakistan-based militants was underscored by a devastating May 31 truck bomb that killed more than 80 people and wounded 460 in Kabul.   Afghanistan’s main intelligence agency said the attack - one of the deadliest in memory in the Afghan capital - had been carried out by the Haqqani network with assistance from Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies. Washington believes the strikes appeared to be the work of the Haqqani network, U.S. officials told Reuters. U.S. frustration over the Haqqani’s presence in Pakistan has been building for years. The United States designated the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization in 2012. U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, then the top U.S. military officer, told Congress in 2011 that the Haqqani network was a “veritable arm” of the ISI. Any U.S. pivot in its approach would be sharply different than the one taken at the start of the Obama administration, when U.S. officials sought to court Pakistani leaders, including Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani. David Sedney, who served as Obama’s deputy assistant secretary of defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia from 2009 to 2013, said the attempt to turn Islamabad into a strategic partner was a “disaster.” “It didn’t affect Pakistan’s behavior one bit. In fact, I would argue it made Pakistan’s behavior worse,” Sedney said. MORE DRONES, CASH CUT-OFF Pakistan has received more than $33 billion in U.S. assistance since 2002, including more than $14 billion in so-called Coalition Support Funds (CSF), a U.S. Defense Department program to reimburse allies that have incurred costs in supporting counter-insurgency operations. Last year, the Pentagon decided not to pay Pakistan $300 million in CSF funding after then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter declined to sign authorization that Pakistan was taking adequate action against the Haqqani network.      U.S. officials said the Trump administration was discussing withholding at least some assistance to Pakistan. Curtis’ report singled out the aid as a target. But U.S. aid cuts could cede even more influence to China, which already has committed nearly $60 billion in investments in Pakistan.  Another option under review is broadening a drone campaign to penetrate deeper into Pakistan to target Haqqani fighters and other militants blamed for attacks in Afghanistan, U.S. officials and a Pakistan expert said. “Now the Americans (will be) saying, you aren’t taking out our enemies, so therefore we are taking them out ourselves,” said the Pakistan expert, who declined to be identified. Pakistan’s army chief of staff last week criticized “unilateral actions” such as drone strikes as “counterproductive and against (the) spirit of ongoing cooperation and intelligence sharing being diligently undertaken by Pakistan.” politicsNews
exclusive trump administration eyes hardening line toward pakistanwashington reuters president donald trump administration exploring hardening approach toward pakistan crack militants launching attacks neighboring afghanistan two officials tell reuters potential trump administration responses discussed include expanding drone strikes redirecting withholding aid pakistan perhaps eventually downloading pakistan status major ally two officials said speaking condition anonymity other officials skeptical prospects success arguing years previous efforts curb pakistan support militant groups failed already strengthening ties india pakistan undermine chances breakthrough islamabad officials say generally seek greater cooperation pakistan rupture ties administration finishes regional review due strategy guiding war afghanistan the discussions include officials across trump administration including white house defense department declined comment review completion precise actions yet decided but pakistan embassy washington warned scapegoating pakistan explain stalemate afghanistan pointing instead afghanistan troubled internal dynamics it also noted past pakistani efforts battle militants expressed willingness work united states afghanistan border management singling pakistan pinning entire blame pakistan situation afghanistan neither fair accurate borne ground realities said aid seed press minister embassy experts america longest war argue militant safe havens pakistan allowed insurgents place plot deadly strikes afghanistan regroup ground offensives although long mindful pakistan trump administration recent weeks put emphasis relationship islamabad discussions hammers regional strategy presented trump took office late january one official said we never really fully articulated strategy towards pakistan the strategy clearly say want pakistan specifically official said speaking condition anonymity other officials question whether mix carrots sticks get islamabad change behavior at end day washington needs partner even imperfect one pakistan say the united states poised deploy thousands troops afghanistan acknowledgment forces winning taliban militants resurgence without pressure militants within pakistan target afghanistan experts say additional troop deployments fail meet ultimate objective pressure taliban eventually negotiate peace i believe much harder line pakistan going forward past abdullah movie afghan ambassador united states told reuters without citing specific measures review kabul long critical pakistan role afghanistan pakistan fiercely denies allowing militants safe territory it bristles claims pakistan spy agency intelligence isi directorate ties haqqani network militants blamed deadliest attacks afghanistan a senior pakistani government source speaking condition anonymity doubted trump administration would press hard saying they want push pakistan abandon war pakistani officials point towards toll militancy taken country since almost civilians nearly pakistani security forces killed result militancy according south asia terrorism portal tracks violence but pentagon report congress released tuesday explicitly accused elements pakistan government supporting militant groups including taliban haqqani network said retained freedom action within pakistan it called pakistan influential external actor affecting afghan pakistan status major ally george bush administration time seen part recognition importance battle al qaeda taliban insurgents the status mainly symbolic allowing limited benefits giving pakistan faster access surplus military hardware ranking title would seen pakistan major blow some officials experts region score title pakistan ally it north korea iran but ally said bruce rider pakistan expert bookings institution think tank lisa curtis prior becoming senior director south central asia national security council report hussain haqqani pakistan former ambassador washington recommended trump administration warn pakistan status could revoked six months thinking pakistan ally continue create problems next administration last one said february report published conservative hudson institute think tank it unclear seriously trump administration considering proposal the growing danger afghanistan suspected militants underscores devastating may truck bomb killed people wounded kabul afghanistan main intelligence agency said attack one deadliest memory afghan capital carried haqqani network assistance pakistan charge islamabad denies washington believes strikes appeared work haqqani network officials told reuters frustration haqqani presence pakistan building years the united states designated haqqani network terrorist organization navy admiral mike mullet top military officer told congress haqqani network veritable arm isi any pivot approach would sharply different one taken start obama administration officials sought court pakistani leaders including army chief general ashram kayak david sydney served obama deputy assistant secretary defense afghanistan pakistan central asia said attempt turn islamabad strategic partner it affect pakistan behavior one bit in fact i would argue made pakistan behavior worse sydney said more drones cash pakistan received billion assistance since including billion coalition support funds cs defense department program reimburse allies incurred costs supporting operations last year pentagon decided pay pakistan million cs funding secretary defense ash carter declined sign authorization pakistan taking adequate action haqqani network officials said trump administration discussing withholding least assistance pakistan curtis report singled aid target but aid cuts could cede even influence china already committed nearly billion investments pakistan another option review broadening drone campaign penetrate deeper pakistan target haqqani fighters militants blamed attacks afghanistan officials pakistan expert said now americans saying taking enemies therefore taking said pakistan expert declined identified pakistan army chief staff last week criticized unilateral actions drone strikes counterproductive spirit ongoing cooperation intelligence sharing diligently undertaken politicsnews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: Exclusive: Trump administration eyes hardening line toward PakistanWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump’s administration is exploring hardening its approach toward Pakistan to crack down on Pakistan-based militants launching attacks in neighboring Afghanistan, two U.S. officials tell Reuters.  Potential Trump administration responses being discussed include expanding U.S. drone strikes, redirecting or withholding some aid to Pakistan and perhaps eventually downgrading Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally, the two officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other U.S. officials are skeptical of the prospects for success, arguing that years of previous U.S. efforts to curb Pakistan’s support for militant groups have failed, and that already strengthening U.S. ties to India, Pakistan’s arch-enemy, undermine chances of a breakthrough with Islamabad.  U.S. officials say generally they seek greater cooperation with Pakistan, not a rupture in ties, once the administration finishes a regional review, due by mid-July, of the strategy guiding the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan.  The discussions include officials from across the Trump administration, including the White House and the Defense Department, both of which declined comment on the review before its completion. Precise actions have yet to be decided. But Pakistan’s embassy in Washington warned against “scapegoating” Pakistan to explain the stalemate in Afghanistan, pointing instead to Afghanistan’s own troubled internal dynamics. It also noted past Pakistani efforts to battle militants and expressed willingness to work with the United States and Afghanistan on border management. “Singling out Pakistan and pinning the entire blame on Pakistan for the situation in Afghanistan is neither fair nor accurate, nor is it borne out by the ground realities,” said Abid Saeed, press minister at the embassy. Experts on America’s longest war argue that militant safe havens in Pakistan have allowed Taliban-linked insurgents a place to plot deadly strikes in Afghanistan and regroup after ground offensives.  Although long mindful of Pakistan, the Trump administration  in recent weeks has put more emphasis on the relationship with Islamabad in discussions as it hammers out a regional strategy to be presented to Trump, who took office in late January, one official said. “We’ve never really fully articulated what our strategy towards Pakistan is. The strategy will more clearly say what we want from Pakistan specifically,” the U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other U.S. officials question whether any mix of carrots and sticks can get Islamabad to change its behavior. At the end of the day, Washington needs a partner, even if an imperfect one, in nuclear-armed Pakistan, they say. The United States is again poised to deploy thousands more troops in Afghanistan, an acknowledgment that U.S.-backed forces are not winning and Taliban militants are resurgent. Without more pressure on militants within Pakistan who target Afghanistan, experts say additional U.S. troop deployments will fail to meet their ultimate objective: to pressure the Taliban to eventually negotiate peace. “I believe there will be a much harder U.S. line on Pakistan going forward than there has been in the past,” Hamdullah Mohib, the Afghan ambassador to the United States, told Reuters, without citing specific measures under review.  Kabul has long been critical of Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan.  Pakistan fiercely denies allowing any militants safe haven on its territory. It bristles at U.S. claims that Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) directorate, has ties to Haqqani network militants blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan. A senior Pakistani government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, doubted the Trump administration would press too hard, saying: “They don’t want to push Pakistan to abandon their war against terrorism.” Pakistani officials point towards the toll militancy has taken on the country. Since 2003, almost 22,000 civilians and nearly 7,000 Pakistani security forces have been killed as a result of militancy, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, which tracks violence. But the Pentagon, in a report to Congress released on Tuesday, explicitly accused elements of Pakistan’s government of supporting Afghanistan-focused militant groups, including the Taliban and Haqqani Network, who it said retained “freedom of action” within Pakistan.  It called Pakistan “the most influential external actor affecting Afghan stability.” Pakistan won the status as a major non-NATO ally in 2004 from the George Bush administration, in what was at the time seen in part as recognition of its importance in the U.S. battle against al Qaeda and Taliban insurgents. The status is mainly symbolic, allowing limited benefits such as giving Pakistan faster access to surplus U.S. military hardware. Yanking the title would be seen by Pakistan as a major blow. Some U.S. officials and experts on the region scoff at the title. “Pakistan is not an ally. It’s not North Korea or Iran. But it’s not an ally,” said Bruce Riedel, a Pakistan expert at the Brookings Institution think tank.  Lisa Curtis, prior to becoming senior director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council, co-authored a report with Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s former ambassador to Washington, in which they recommended the Trump administration warn Pakistan the status could be revoked in six months.  “Thinking of Pakistan as an ally will continue to create problems for the next administration as it did for the last one,” said the February report, published by the conservative Hudson Institute think tank. It was unclear how seriously the Trump administration was considering the proposal. The growing danger to Afghanistan from suspected Pakistan-based militants was underscored by a devastating May 31 truck bomb that killed more than 80 people and wounded 460 in Kabul.   Afghanistan’s main intelligence agency said the attack - one of the deadliest in memory in the Afghan capital - had been carried out by the Haqqani network with assistance from Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies. Washington believes the strikes appeared to be the work of the Haqqani network, U.S. officials told Reuters. U.S. frustration over the Haqqani’s presence in Pakistan has been building for years. The United States designated the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization in 2012. U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, then the top U.S. military officer, told Congress in 2011 that the Haqqani network was a “veritable arm” of the ISI. Any U.S. pivot in its approach would be sharply different than the one taken at the start of the Obama administration, when U.S. officials sought to court Pakistani leaders, including Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani. David Sedney, who served as Obama’s deputy assistant secretary of defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia from 2009 to 2013, said the attempt to turn Islamabad into a strategic partner was a “disaster.” “It didn’t affect Pakistan’s behavior one bit. In fact, I would argue it made Pakistan’s behavior worse,” Sedney said. MORE DRONES, CASH CUT-OFF Pakistan has received more than $33 billion in U.S. assistance since 2002, including more than $14 billion in so-called Coalition Support Funds (CSF), a U.S. Defense Department program to reimburse allies that have incurred costs in supporting counter-insurgency operations. Last year, the Pentagon decided not to pay Pakistan $300 million in CSF funding after then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter declined to sign authorization that Pakistan was taking adequate action against the Haqqani network.      U.S. officials said the Trump administration was discussing withholding at least some assistance to Pakistan. Curtis’ report singled out the aid as a target. But U.S. aid cuts could cede even more influence to China, which already has committed nearly $60 billion in investments in Pakistan.  Another option under review is broadening a drone campaign to penetrate deeper into Pakistan to target Haqqani fighters and other militants blamed for attacks in Afghanistan, U.S. officials and a Pakistan expert said. “Now the Americans (will be) saying, you aren’t taking out our enemies, so therefore we are taking them out ourselves,” said the Pakistan expert, who declined to be identified. Pakistan’s army chief of staff last week criticized “unilateral actions” such as drone strikes as “counterproductive and against (the) spirit of ongoing cooperation and intelligence sharing being diligently undertaken by Pakistan.” politicsNews
Your task is to classify the provided input as real or fake news. Label 0 is meant for fake news, Label 1 is for real news. TEXT: exclusive trump administration eyes hardening line toward pakistanwashington reuters president donald trump administration exploring hardening approach toward pakistan crack militants launching attacks neighboring afghanistan two officials tell reuters potential trump administration responses discussed include expanding drone strikes redirecting withholding aid pakistan perhaps eventually downloading pakistan status major ally two officials said speaking condition anonymity other officials skeptical prospects success arguing years previous efforts curb pakistan support militant groups failed already strengthening ties india pakistan undermine chances breakthrough islamabad officials say generally seek greater cooperation pakistan rupture ties administration finishes regional review due strategy guiding war afghanistan the discussions include officials across trump administration including white house defense department declined comment review completion precise actions yet decided but pakistan embassy washington warned scapegoating pakistan explain stalemate afghanistan pointing instead afghanistan troubled internal dynamics it also noted past pakistani efforts battle militants expressed willingness work united states afghanistan border management singling pakistan pinning entire blame pakistan situation afghanistan neither fair accurate borne ground realities said aid seed press minister embassy experts america longest war argue militant safe havens pakistan allowed insurgents place plot deadly strikes afghanistan regroup ground offensives although long mindful pakistan trump administration recent weeks put emphasis relationship islamabad discussions hammers regional strategy presented trump took office late january one official said we never really fully articulated strategy towards pakistan the strategy clearly say want pakistan specifically official said speaking condition anonymity other officials question whether mix carrots sticks get islamabad change behavior at end day washington needs partner even imperfect one pakistan say the united states poised deploy thousands troops afghanistan acknowledgment forces winning taliban militants resurgence without pressure militants within pakistan target afghanistan experts say additional troop deployments fail meet ultimate objective pressure taliban eventually negotiate peace i believe much harder line pakistan going forward past abdullah movie afghan ambassador united states told reuters without citing specific measures review kabul long critical pakistan role afghanistan pakistan fiercely denies allowing militants safe territory it bristles claims pakistan spy agency intelligence isi directorate ties haqqani network militants blamed deadliest attacks afghanistan a senior pakistani government source speaking condition anonymity doubted trump administration would press hard saying they want push pakistan abandon war pakistani officials point towards toll militancy taken country since almost civilians nearly pakistani security forces killed result militancy according south asia terrorism portal tracks violence but pentagon report congress released tuesday explicitly accused elements pakistan government supporting militant groups including taliban haqqani network said retained freedom action within pakistan it called pakistan influential external actor affecting afghan pakistan status major ally george bush administration time seen part recognition importance battle al qaeda taliban insurgents the status mainly symbolic allowing limited benefits giving pakistan faster access surplus military hardware ranking title would seen pakistan major blow some officials experts region score title pakistan ally it north korea iran but ally said bruce rider pakistan expert bookings institution think tank lisa curtis prior becoming senior director south central asia national security council report hussain haqqani pakistan former ambassador washington recommended trump administration warn pakistan status could revoked six months thinking pakistan ally continue create problems next administration last one said february report published conservative hudson institute think tank it unclear seriously trump administration considering proposal the growing danger afghanistan suspected militants underscores devastating may truck bomb killed people wounded kabul afghanistan main intelligence agency said attack one deadliest memory afghan capital carried haqqani network assistance pakistan charge islamabad denies washington believes strikes appeared work haqqani network officials told reuters frustration haqqani presence pakistan building years the united states designated haqqani network terrorist organization navy admiral mike mullet top military officer told congress haqqani network veritable arm isi any pivot approach would sharply different one taken start obama administration officials sought court pakistani leaders including army chief general ashram kayak david sydney served obama deputy assistant secretary defense afghanistan pakistan central asia said attempt turn islamabad strategic partner it affect pakistan behavior one bit in fact i would argue made pakistan behavior worse sydney said more drones cash pakistan received billion assistance since including billion coalition support funds cs defense department program reimburse allies incurred costs supporting operations last year pentagon decided pay pakistan million cs funding secretary defense ash carter declined sign authorization pakistan taking adequate action haqqani network officials said trump administration discussing withholding least assistance pakistan curtis report singled aid target but aid cuts could cede even influence china already committed nearly billion investments pakistan another option review broadening drone campaign penetrate deeper pakistan target haqqani fighters militants blamed attacks afghanistan officials pakistan expert said now americans saying taking enemies therefore taking said pakistan expert declined identified pakistan army chief staff last week criticized unilateral actions drone strikes counterproductive spirit ongoing cooperation intelligence sharing diligently undertaken politicsnews