US bought Musharraf's nuclear secrets: Ex-CIA officer's explosive claim
What's the story
John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer who served 15 years in the agency, has made shocking allegations about the United States's involvement with Pakistan. In an interview with ANI, Kiriakou claimed that former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf "essentially sold out" his country's nuclear arsenal to the US at one point. He alleged that Washington "purchased" Musharraf through massive aid packages and enjoyed near-unchecked access to Pakistan's security and military operations under his rule.
Double game
US knew about Pakistan's terror activities against India
Nevertheless, Kiriakou alleged that while Musharraf publicly sided with the US on counterterrorism, he was actually allowing Pakistan's military and extremists to carry out terror activities against India. "The Pakistani military didn't care about Al-Qaeda; they cared about India," Kiriakou said. He also revealed that Saudi Arabia intervened to protect Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan from US action, hinting at Riyadh's own nuclear ambitions, when the US was keeping a tab on him.
Policy criticism
Kiriakou on changing global power dynamics
Kiriakou also slammed the hypocrisy of American foreign policy, saying Washington selectively promotes democracy while working with autocrats. He said the US-Saudi relationship is purely transactional, with America buying Saudi oil and selling weapons in return. The former CIA officer also noted that global power dynamics are changing as Saudi Arabia improves relations with China and India. "We're witnessing a transformation in how the world operates," he said.