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Comment by ComradePhil | Hacker News Reader

For those who are unfamiliar: Given the geopolitical changes due to the Russia situation, countries around India and China are of interest to the west again, much more so than ever before... which is what is causing this in Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the moment... and will continue in other countries in the region. Couple of weeks ago, Imran Khan claimed that the US wanted him gone... and now he is gone: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/31/imran-khan-add...

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It is possible that what Imran Khan has claimed was true and USA has succeeded to remove him, but it is equally possible that his claim was an intentional lie and his removal did not have anything with USA, even if the change might be welcomed by USA.

This is probably the first rule in the playbook of any dictator, whenever some opposition is sensed, as a preemptive strike, the dictator claims publicly that some wicked foreign power wants to remove him from power, so that any identifiable opponents should be considered as evil foreign agents, who must be punished for their treason.

There have been a huge number of examples of this behavior during the last century, in many countries.

Naturally Khan presents himself in a good light but the US-Pakistan relationship has everything to do with his rise and fall.

1. Military and espionage are largely credited for getting him into power. [1]

2. The US cut military aid and mention his comments specifically. [2]

3. His fall is believed to be the result of his loss of support from the military. [1]

As I see it, the US basically has a shaky relationship with the Sharif family that does most of what the US wants but also recognize they will lose local trust. These conflicts allowed him to have temporary power.

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61047585

[2] https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-pakistan/

I've heard a lot recently from Indian colleagues at work about the Chinese desire to create a roadway that passes through Kashmir etc so goods coming from the Tibetan side of the Hindu Kush can be more efficiently transported to ports. I don't know Khan's politics but it wouldn't surprise me to learn that any politician in the region wanting to oust US influence and (potentially) side with China would draw the ire of the US enough to cause change agents on the ground to push for their ouster.

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