Former Pentagon official and senior Middle East analyst Michael Rubin has launched a blistering attack on Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, comparing him to one of the most infamous figures in modern history. Rubin described Munir as “Osama Bin Laden in a suit”, a remark that underscores his concerns about the Pakistani military leader’s recent rhetoric and ideological stance.
The controversy stems from Munir’s alleged remarks during a visit to the United States, where he reportedly warned, “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.” Rubin condemned the statement as reckless nuclear sabre-rattling and called for decisive action from Washington. His recommendations included stripping Pakistan of its status as a major non-NATO ally, designating it a state sponsor of terrorism, and declaring Munir persona non grata in the U.S. He even went as far as suggesting that U.S. Navy SEAL teams should consider securing Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal to prevent misuse.
India’s Foreign Ministry has also strongly criticized Munir’s reported comments, describing them as highly irresponsible and a potential threat to regional stability. Officials in New Delhi expressed particular concern that such a provocative statement was made while Munir was on U.S. soil. Indian legislators echoed the sentiment, questioning the appropriateness of delivering nuclear threats from the land of a friendly nation.
Rubin’s criticism did not stop with Munir. He accused U.S. President Donald Trump of being more concerned with personal ego and striking quick deals than with maintaining a principled and strategic foreign policy. According to Rubin, hasty agreements with Pakistan could lead to more instability in the region, rather than securing lasting peace.
Asim Munir, who was recently promoted to Field Marshal following the 2025 India-Pakistan military conflict, now finds himself at the center of an extraordinary wave of international backlash. While his supporters in Pakistan view him as a strong leader defending national sovereignty, his critics see him as a dangerous figure whose words could inflame tensions and undermine global security.
