Ex-Pentagon Official Slams Pakistan Army Chief’s ‘Nuclear Threat,’ Compares Him to Osama bin Laden

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin on Tuesday condemned Pakistan army chief Asim Munir’s recent “nuclear threat” remark during his U.S. visit, likening the rhetoric to that of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Speaking to ANI, Rubin called Pakistan’s threats on American soil “completely unacceptable” and questioned whether Islamabad could meet the responsibilities of a state. Referring to Munir’s address in Tampa, Florida—where he reportedly said, “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us”—Rubin said, “Asim Munir is Osama bin Laden in a suit.”

He urged Washington to revoke Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally, designate it a state sponsor of terrorism, remove it from U.S. Central Command, and ban Munir and other Pakistani officials from entering the country until an apology is issued.

India’s foreign ministry also condemned Munir’s statement, calling it “nuclear sabre-rattling” and raising doubts over Pakistan’s nuclear command and control. It stressed that India “will not give in to nuclear blackmail” and will take all steps to safeguard national security.