Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has issued strong criticism against Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir. Rubin controversially compared Munir to Osama bin Laden, stating that he is “Osama bin Laden in a suit.” These comments were made in response to Munir’s recent statements concerning nuclear weapons made during a visit to the U.S. Rubin portrayed Pakistan as a “chaotic nation,” accusing it of employing aggressive rhetoric. He drew parallels between Munir’s statements and the extremist ideology of the Islamic State, directly linking him to bin Laden, who masterminded the 9/11 attacks.
The controversy stems from reports that Munir stated during a meeting in Tampa, Florida, in the presence of US military officials, that if Pakistan were to face collapse, it would bring down half the world. India has strongly condemned these nuclear threats, with the Foreign Ministry expressing that Pakistan’s threats are not new, and criticizing such language from a friendly country.
Rubin stated that such threats made on American soil were wholly unacceptable. He cautioned that such remarks could potentially lead to extremists misusing nuclear weapons. Rubin noted that the challenge posed by Pakistan goes beyond typical diplomatic conflicts. He stated, “Americans usually look at terrorism with a view of complaint or pain, but they do not understand the ideology of terrorists. Asim Munir is Osama bin Laden wearing a suit.” He also indicated that Munir’s words raise questions about Pakistan’s institutional responsibilities. Rubin said that Munir’s rhetoric mirrors that of the Islamic State’s leaders. He proposed that the international community should consider a “controlled disintegration” of Pakistan, potentially involving support for regions like Balochistan striving for independence. Furthermore, he suggested possible military intervention in the future to secure Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. Rubin stated that Pakistan’s threat of nuclear retaliation indicates its illegitimacy. He also argued that future administrations should take steps to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, as the alternative is too high a risk.
Rubin also advocated for removing Pakistan’s “Major Non-NATO Ally” status. He proposed Pakistan’s inclusion on a list of countries supporting terrorism and its exclusion from the US Central Command. He demanded that Asim Munir be declared persona non grata in the US and denied a US visa, and that no Pakistani official be allowed entry until Pakistan clarifies its position and apologizes.