Ex-Pentagon Official Backs Operation Sindoor, Urges US to Label Pakistan a State Sponsor of Terror

Michael Rubin praises India’s strategic precision, slams Pakistan’s actions, and calls for tougher US policy in wake of escalating conflict

Washington DC | May 9:
Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, has strongly defended India’s military response and sharply criticized Pakistan’s role in perpetuating terrorism.

Rubin, speaking on the situation, stated:

“Pakistan started the conflict with its support for terrorism. Indians were the victims of terrorism. While I was initially critical that Prime Minister Modi had taken so long to respond, it’s clear that the Indian military was carefully planning and has shown itself to be far more capable.”

His comments follow India’s precision strikes on May 7 targeting nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 28 civilians.

Calling out Pakistan’s reaction, Rubin added:

“Pakistan is thrashing about, looking for a way to save face. But Asim Munir should understand that the first rule of hole digging is: when you’re in a hole, stop digging.”

Rubin also issued a strong recommendation to the US government, urging a major policy shift:

“There can only be one metric by which we look at the diplomatic solution to this issue: Pakistan has to be designated by the United States to be a state sponsor of terror.”

His statement aligns with growing bipartisan concern in Washington about Pakistan’s ties to extremist groups and its continued use of cross-border terrorism as a strategic tool.

Operation Sindoor, executed by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, has drawn attention globally, with many analysts pointing to India’s measured yet forceful approach and strategic restraint in avoiding escalation with Pakistani military targets.

Rubin’s remarks further underscore the shifting mood in Washington, where policymakers are being urged to reassess long-standing assumptions about Pakistan’s role in the region and the credibility of its counter-terrorism claims.