April 26, 2025 — Dr. Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official and an expert on Middle Eastern conflicts, culture, and terrorism, has stated that the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, and incidents in Bangladesh are interconnected, with their roots tracing back to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.
Dr. Rubin, who previously taught U.S. Navy and Marine units about terrorism and Middle Eastern affairs, emphasized his deep understanding of such threats, citing his personal experiences living in post-revolution Iran, Yemen, and pre- and post-war Iraq. Notably, before the 9/11 attacks, Rubin also spent time engaging with the Taliban.
“I say this because after the Holey Artisan Bakery terror attack in Bangladesh, I led several critical American intelligence and research initiatives concerning that incident,” Dr. Rubin remarked. “Unless someone is deeply involved, it is difficult to grasp the layers beneath these events. They are intricate, interconnected, and often masked under various covers.”
Highlighting a concerning detail, Rubin pointed out that while experts from many countries extended support after the Holey Artisan attack, the Indian response was surprisingly lukewarm. “Their lack of urgency puzzled me. They did not seem to realize that weakening India was the primary goal, with Bangladesh merely being used as a backdrop,” he said.
Dr. Rubin’s remarks underscore a growing alarm among international security experts about the evolving strategy of state-sponsored terrorism in South Asia, and the broader implications for regional stability.