Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has strongly criticised Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, over remarks allegedly made during a meeting with US military officials in Tampa, Florida. According to reports, Munir warned that if Pakistan “goes down, it would take half the world down” — a statement Rubin described as dangerous nuclear rhetoric.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Rubin likened Munir to Osama bin Laden, saying, “Asim Munir is Osama bin Laden in a suit.” He argued that such statements reflect a rogue-state mentality and mirror the extremist rhetoric once used by the Islamic State.

Rubin warned that Pakistan’s nuclear threats could embolden terrorist groups to act independently with nuclear weapons, posing a significant global security risk. He questioned whether Pakistan is capable of fulfilling its responsibilities as a state, given such aggressive posturing from its top military leader.

The former US defence official suggested that the international community consider a “managed decline” of Pakistan, potentially recognising breakaway regions such as Balochistan. He also floated the idea of future US military operations to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, saying, “The alternative is simply too great to bear.”

Rubin further urged Washington to remove Pakistan from its list of major non-NATO allies and instead designate it as a state sponsor of terrorism. He called for General Munir and other Pakistani officials to be barred from entering the United States until Islamabad issues a formal explanation and apology.

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