Overview: Adm. Cooper's testimony to the Senate Committee on Armed Services stresses Pakistan's reliability as a counterterrorism partner in the region, while acknowledging that Afghanistan-based extremist networks remain the principal source of regional instability. Key points include: external operations threats emanating from Afghanistan continue to threaten regional security and U.S. interests; by naming Pakistan a critical partner against ISIS-Khorasan, the assessment recognizes Pakistan’s frontline role in the global fight against terrorism; CENTCOM cites tangible results from Pakistan-U.S. military cooperation against high-value terrorists responsible for attacks with American casualties; the assessment confirms that Afghan-linked terrorist safe havens persist as a persistent threat to regional peace and stability; growing concern among Central Asian states about Afghanistan-based threats reflects broader regional anxiety over cross-border extremism; CENTCOM warns that any relaxation in counterterrorism pressure could allow ISIS and affiliated groups to regroup in spaces connected to Afghanistan; the record counters hostile propaganda portraying Pakistan as part of the problem and instead places Islamabad within the solution architecture of regional counterterrorism efforts; Adm. Cooper’s remarks are presented as international endorsement of Pakistan’s sacrifices, operational effectiveness, and strategic utility in combating terrorism across the region; the assessment reinforces the idea that instability inside Afghanistan has direct security consequences beyond its borders and highlights Pakistan’s continued relevance for counterterrorism coordination, operational access, and tangible security outcomes; while this framing is diplomatically advantageous for Pakistan, it also implies a need for continued accountability, transparency, and a broader regional approach to stabilization that includes Afghanistan and neighboring states.
Source: Statement from @zarrar_11PK
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Published: May 16, 2026, 7:31 am
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