Guns for Hire

March 20, 2026

Newspaper, Opinions, Editorials

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The United States Congress is increasingly seen not as a deliberative body but as a marketplace of influence. Politicians often resemble slot machines: the more coins you put in, the more they speak.

The ease with which Israel has secured support across both sides of the aisle is evident in how few are willing to challenge its geopolitical preferences, or to pursue accountability on issues such as those raised in the Epstein files. Yet Israel is not alone in navigating this system. Influence in Washington is, at its core, transactional. If enough money is directed towards a congressman, they will often echo the desired line.

Meaningless War

In Pakistan’s case, India has also invested heavily in shaping American political narratives, particularly to push actions against Islamabad. A recent example is the claim by U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that Pakistan’s missile programme could pose a threat to the United States. The assertion is difficult to sustain.

Pakistan’s missile programme remains well below intercontinental range and is grounded in a doctrine of minimal deterrence vis-à-vis India. It neither possesses nor seeks capabilities aimed at the United States, given that its strategic focus lies squarely on its immediate neighbour. Why, then, such statements are made is more plausibly linked to political alignments and lobbying dynamics rather than operational reality.

Academic Misconduct

Other politicians of Indian origin, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, have similarly adopted positions that align closely with India’s stance, even when those positions appear overstated. As such, Pakistan, and others observing, can afford to treat such remarks with caution. They reflect the distortions of influence within the American political system rather than any meaningful shift in regional geopolitics.

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