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Acta non Verba. Do you still keep your license from the zoo? (It's a KP thing, others probably don't know what we're talking about).

Here's a thought to consider...Pakistan doesn't have an edge sharp enough to go toe to toe with India in an aerial dogfight. Indian pilots are VERY good.

Furthermore, if the Pakis were to send a nuke into India, they wouldn't risk it with a multi-million dollar aircraft. Both India and Pakistan would send that sort of munition by camel, donkey, technical vehicle, or whatever low-grade and impossible to trace vehicle is available (for political deniable purposes). Neither of the two nations have enough strength to keep their own populations from internal fighting.

F-16s are relics compared to newer fighters. Here's an historical parallel: the Russian Mig was superior to the US Sabre, yet the training provided by the US had Americans clearly ahead in the air war over Korea. India has far superior pilots over Pakistan. Pakistan having F-16s doesn't give them an edge.

Finally, Pakistan had purchased F-16s long before "W" was President. I recall one of Pakistan's Prime Ministers embarrassing President Clinton during her visit to the US basically addressing, on TV even, "give us our jets, or give us our money back." I'll accept any correction if I'm wrong about that.

It has taken quite a convincing for Pakistan to remove its extremist and the Pakis in charge have done far more than what radical Jihadism (in their own neighborhoods to boot) would ever allow. Allowing the Falcon purchase is probably a reward of trust. A squadron of outdated F-16s won't upset the balance of power in the region. If they were sold F-15s, then that would be a very different story. Instead, the US has made an effective political and business deal. If the Pakis didn't buy "Made in the USA", they would have bought a Euro-fighter or similar aircraft, and the money would have transferred to the EU.

I can't speak for Indians, but I'm sure that they're not overly optimistic about Pakistan having F-16s. But if any air power knows dog fighting, India probably knows the F-16's pro & cons the best (considering it's training with the USAF).

Joe! Nice to talk to you. USMMA was great for me. I'm a first generation American...and boy the honor of serving America as an Officer was beyond words. By the way, my parents are from India..one is a Jew, the other a Hindu. So, that being said...I'm a bit biased on this whole issue of supplying weaponry to an Islamic state. Take my opinion with a grain of salt. But, to add more meat to my arguement, let me state also that due to my language skills, and military training, and obvious "south asian" looks, I was lets just say...able to wander around in both India and Pakistan. Don't ask more about that. I've also had the misfortune to train some officers from the Pakistani navy.

Let me tell you brother, they are decitful. Now regarding the F16s for Pakistan (Land of the Pure). I don't mind the deal one bit...except that the Pakistanis are dillusional. They will actully think that they have the US in their back pocket, and will...mark my words...in a few months (before winter sets in) launch some sort of misadventure in Kashmir.

These Pakistanis belive their own lies. For instance, when India was going to launch an all out invasion of Pakistan (after Paki intl. was implicated on the attack on the Indian Parlament), Musharraf phoned frantically to Bush to ask the Indians to pull back. The Indians in their folly did. Do you know what the story in Pakistan is about this incident...the story is that the Indians are weak, have no strength, are intimidated by Pakitan. They are completely nuts buddy. NUTS!!

And, yes I do agree with you that if Pakitan ever did try anything with India (with or without F16s), India would clean house there. There were reports during the last war between Pakistan and India (Kargil), that Indian Migs were able to lock on to Pak F16s and the F16s turned tail.

It looks to me that Condi has not done her homework on that part of the world.

Peace brother!