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India-Pakistan War Drums

They both have nuclear weapons. And they're shooting at each other
Screen Shot 2019-02-27 at 2.21.19 PM

Um, guys, are you watching what’s happening between two nuclear-armed neighbors in South Asia?:

Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, has appealed for talks with India, making reference to both countries’ nuclear arsenals, after a series of tit-for-tat airstrikes that have edged the pair closer to war than at any point in the last 20 years.

An Indian air force pilot was in enemy custody on Wednesday after Pakistani fighter jets launched airstrikes across the heavily militarised ceasefire border in the disputed region of Kashmir. Indian MiG-21 Bison fighters gave chase and at least one was shot down over Pakistani-held territory.

Its pilot, a wing commander identified as Abhi Nandan, appeared in a bloodied uniform as he gave his name and rank in a video released by the Pakistani armed forces. Asked by his interrogator to say more, he replied: “I am sorry, sir, that’s all I’m supposed to tell you.”

Earlier footage of the captured pilot, including one video showing him being beaten by a crowd of angry civilians, made the rounds of WhatsApp and social media in India, fuelling popular concern and anger. The pilot said in a video released later by the Pakistani military that its soldiers had “rescued me from the mob”, and he was shown sipping tea.

Read the whole thing — this is not a drill.

What Michael Cohen is saying in Washington today, and even what Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un are saying to each other today in Hanoi, is not remotely as important as this.

Do we have any readers in India or Pakistan, or any readers with particular knowledge of what’s going on? Let’s hear from you, please.

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