Washington, D.C.– Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has strongly endorsed India’s decisive military and diplomatic actions during Operation Sindoor, calling it a “historic victory” for India and a humiliating defeat for Pakistan. Speaking to media, Rubin said the strikes had crippled Pakistan’s air power and forced Islamabad to “run for a ceasefire like a scared dog with its tail between its legs.”
Rubin, currently a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and a respected commentator on defense and foreign policy, said India’s precision airstrikes not only eliminated terror infrastructure but also blunted Pakistan’s retaliatory capability, sending a clear message globally about New Delhi’s new rules of engagement.
Key Quotes from Rubin:
“India won this both diplomatically and militarily. All attention is now on Pakistan’s terrorist sponsorship.”
“When Pakistan responded, India was able to blunt their response. And then when Pakistan continued to try to retaliate, India was able to put their airfields out of commission.”
“Pakistan went running to try to achieve a ceasefire like a scared dog with its tail between its legs.”
“The Pakistani military cannot shield itself from the full reality that they lost — very, very badly.”
Context: Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam Attack
On April 22, a terror attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, leading to India launching Operation Sindoor on May 7. The operation saw the Indian Armed Forces target and destroy over 100 terrorist operatives and infrastructure belonging to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in Pakistan and PoJK.
Satellite imagery and analysis by The Washington Post revealed that Indian airstrikes:
- Severely damaged six airfields, including Nur Khan, Bholari, Shahbaz, Mushaf, and Sheikh Zayed Airport.
- Destroyed hangars, control centers, radar sites, and runways.
- Penetrated up to 100 miles inside Pakistan, marking the deepest Indian strikes since 1971.
Rubin: Pakistan Must Clean House or Collapse Further
Rubin criticized the Pakistani military’s support for terrorism, citing reports of officers attending funerals of slain terrorists. He labeled the ISI-militant nexus as “rot” and demanded global accountability. He also raised concerns over Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir’s leadership, questioning whether internal military ego would continue to jeopardize Pakistan’s stability.
“There is no differentiation between a terrorist and a member of the ISI or the Pakistani armed forces.”
“Pakistan needs to clean house. But the question is, are they too far gone?”
Aftermath and Ceasefire
Following cross-border shelling and drone skirmishes, India responded by neutralizing Pakistani radar and communications, culminating in a ceasefire agreement on May 10. India called the operation “measured and calibrated,” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as a “new normal” in India’s anti-terror doctrine.
“After surgical and air strikes, Operation Sindoor sets a new benchmark. India will not tolerate terror or nuclear blackmail,” PM Modi said in his May 13 address.
Conclusion:
Rubin’s blunt remarks underline international acknowledgment of India’s strategic assertiveness and growing global scrutiny of Pakistan’s terror affiliations. With Operation Sindoor, India appears to have reshaped the regional security calculus, asserting both military dominance and diplomatic leverage in South Asia.