092_qazi_us_pakistan

Author and Publication

• Author: Shehzad H. Qazi

• Source: World Affairs, May/June 2012, Vol. 175, No. 1, pp. 71-78

• Published by: Sage Publications, Inc.

• Stable URL: Link to JSTOR

Overview of US-Pakistan Relations

• The relationship between Pakistan and the United States has been tumultuous and characterized by tension and mistrust.

• Key events include:

  • Raymond Davis Incident: A CIA contractor killed two Pakistanis in Lahore, escalating tensions.

  • Osama bin Laden Raid: Bin Laden was killed in a US operation in Abbottabad, leading to embarrassment for Pakistan's military.

  • Haqqani Network Pressure: The US pressured Pakistan to combat the Haqqani Network (a Taliban group), but Pakistan refused.

  • Salala Checkpoint Attack: A NATO attack in November resulted in 24 Pakistani soldiers' deaths, leading to the suspension of NATO supply lines.

Issues in US-Pakistan Relations

Transactional Relationship

• The relationship is largely focused on security rather than broader partnerships, creating a one-dimensional transaction based primarily on counter-terrorism.

• General Jehangir Karamat highlights instability between the Pentagon and Pakistan Army as a key issue.

Clashing Security Interests

• There are fundamental differences in security calculations, particularly concerning the Afghan Taliban and their interactions in Afghanistan.

• US goals have shifted toward negotiating a settlement that allows withdrawal from Afghanistan while maintaining influence over the Afghan government.

Pakistan's Strategic Interests

• Pakistan views the Taliban as a tool to counter India's influence in Afghanistan, which complicates cooperation with the US.

• US policymakers underestimated Pakistan's strong security concerns, believing they could negotiate while maintaining aid flows.

US-Taliban Relations

• Despite US insistence on Pakistani action against the Taliban, the US conducted secret negotiations with the Taliban without involving Pakistan, causing further distrust.

• The US aims to leave a residual force in Afghanistan to counter terrorism, which complicates the peace process and the role of Pakistan.

Issues with Drone Strikes

• The US drone campaign against al-Qaeda in Pakistan has been contentious due to civilian casualties reported in strikes:

  • Many Pakistanis disapprove of drone strikes, with surveys indicating significant public opposition.

• Despite official condemnation, there is tacit support within the Pakistani government and military for drone strikes as necessary.

• US-Pakistan intelligence cooperation underpins the drone program, although recent shifts may limit the involvement of US operations on Pakistani territory.

US Aid to Pakistan

• US aid dynamics have become complicated, with perceptions of 'double-dealing' from both sides:

  • Aid Breakdown (2002-2011):

    • $5.7 billion in security aid

    • $7.47 billion in economic aid

    • $8.9 billion in Coalition Support Fund (mostly reimbursements)

• Aid has been chaotic; delayed payments have led to mistrust in the aid process.

• Many Pakistanis view US aid skeptically, seeing it as coercion for Pakistan to fight wars aligned with US interests.

Need for a Rethink in Relations

• Experts argue for a comprehensive rethinking of the US-Pakistan relationship, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic and multifaceted policy approach:

  • Address the complexities of regional security, economic stability, and Pakistan's governance challenges.

• The US should evolve the relationship beyond a mere transactional nature to foster long-term constructive engagements with Pakistan's government and society.