Joshua T. White
It will take more than cosmetic steps by Pakistan to get the Trump administration to unfreeze security assistance [to Pakistan]. Washington is looking for serious and sustained efforts against the Haqqanis [Haqqani Network], and active measures to incentivize the Taliban to engage in peace talks. I also suspect that any resumption of security assistance would be phased, focusing first on restoring military exchanges and narrowly-targeted counterterrorism assistance programs.
Indian foreign policy in a changing world
If the Indian establishment is willing to move forward with politically tricky but operationally meaningful agreements [such as the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement signed by India and the United States on Thursday], I take that as a good sign.
Given the uncertainty over where the president stands and what he cares about on any given day, [this week's trip by both Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis to India] is a sign of continuity. [It signals] that we’re still willing to invest at a high level in the U.S.-India relationship.
[T]he weaponization of the judiciary [and] the manipulation of the media [show that the military is clearing the way for Imran Khan to become prime minister.]