U.S. Security Expert Michael Rubin Slams Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir: “A Terrorist Like Osama Bin Laden”

In a bold and scathing rebuke, renowned American security analyst and former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has compared Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir to none other than Osama bin Laden, stating, "Asim Munir is a terrorist like Osama Bin Laden." This statement, made during a recent policy roundtable on South Asian security, has sparked widespread discussion across defense and diplomatic circles, once again bringing attention to Pakistan’s alleged role in fostering extremism and undermining regional stability.

A Statement That Cuts Deep

Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and an influential voice on Middle Eastern and South Asian geopolitics, didn’t mince words. He criticized Munir for perpetuating the decades-old pattern of Pakistan’s military using jihadist groups as strategic assets under the guise of national security. According to Rubin, “Munir’s rhetoric and actions reflect not a man of peace or professionalism, but someone who weaponizes extremism for strategic gain. That is the definition of modern terrorism, and it mirrors what Osama Bin Laden stood for.”

Rubin’s comparison is not just hyperbole. He draws on a history of complicity and duplicity — from Pakistan’s harboring of bin Laden in Abbottabad, just a stone’s throw away from its military academy, to its continued support for groups like the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Asim Munir, who has long served in intelligence and high-ranking positions within the army, is seen by critics as a continuation of that legacy rather than a reformer.

The Critique of Asim Munir’s Leadership

Since taking over as the army chief in November 2022, General Asim Munir has styled himself as a defender of democracy and regional peace. But his actions, as observed by Rubin and other analysts, suggest otherwise. His harsh crackdown on dissent, political manipulation behind the scenes, and continued interference in civilian governance betray a familiar pattern where the military remains the de facto ruler of Pakistan, despite the illusion of democratic institutions.

Rubin also pointed to Munir’s role in stifling political opposition, especially the relentless pursuit of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. “Pakistan’s army under Munir has acted less like a national institution and more like a mafia network, crushing any dissent that threatens its grip,” Rubin stated. “This isn’t about security. This is about control, intimidation, and enforcing silence — the very tactics terrorists use.”

A Broader Critique of Pakistan

Rubin’s blistering assessment also extended to the Pakistani state itself, which he argues has failed to learn from its past and continues to act as a breeding ground for extremism while playing the victim on the global stage. He questioned why the international community continues to engage diplomatically with Pakistan while it harbors terror elements and destabilizes both its neighbors and its own society.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s military, rather than civilian institutions, has been the primary obstacle to peace — especially in relation to Afghanistan and India. By nurturing extremist proxies under the pretense of strategic depth or Kashmir liberation, Pakistan has, in Rubin’s words, “traded its soul for tactical leverage,” which ultimately only brings suffering to its own people.

Furthermore, Rubin condemned the double standards of the West, particularly the United States, which has often turned a blind eye to Pakistan’s support for terror in exchange for short-term cooperation in Afghanistan or counter-terror operations. “The world must stop treating Pakistan as a misunderstood ally. It’s time to recognize it for what it is — a state that empowers terror and systematically undermines peace.”

The Path Forward

Michael Rubin’s comparison of Asim Munir to Osama Bin Laden may seem incendiary, but it reflects a growing frustration among Western security experts with Pakistan’s unwillingness — or inability — to confront its dangerous military-intelligence nexus. As regional dynamics evolve and threats like global jihadism adapt, the role of state actors like Pakistan becomes impossible to ignore.

Whether the world chooses to heed Rubin’s warning remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: so long as the Pakistani army continues to operate with impunity, and figures like Asim Munir are celebrated rather than condemned, the dream of a peaceful, stable South Asia will remain out of reach.