Since its inception, Pakistan has been a key regional ally of the United States. However, this relationship has always been transactional due to the US’ habitual betrayal.
Pakistan has always been a crucial regional ally of the United States. It has played a critical role in helping the US achieve its regional ambitions in South Asia. Pakistan was the country that trained and militarized the Afghan Taliban against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In return, Washington provided financial aid to Pakistan. However, this alliance has always been transactional. As soon as the Cold War ended, the United States imposed sanctions on Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Struggle in the War on Terror
With the start of the US-led War on Terror, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan was coerced to join the US side. It provided military bases to the American and NATO forces. The country also offered a land route to supply military equipment to the NATO forces fighting in Afghanistan against the Taliban, the former allies of the United States. Pakistan paid a heavy price for this anti-Taliban alliance with the United States. It resulted in the formation of the Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against the Pakistan military due to its support to the NATO forces. Pakistan saw a new wave of terrorism after the creation of the TTP. The latter conducted indiscriminate attacks on Pakistan’s civilian and military personnel. Since 2001, around 80000 Pakistani citizens have been killed in these terrorist attacks.
Pakistan also paid a significant economic cost of the US-led War on Terror. According to the Finance Division of Pakistan, the total cost of terrorism incurred by Pakistan is estimated to be more than $123 billion from 2001 to 2017. Donald Trump, during his first Presidential tenure, solicited Pakistan’s help to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiation table. Islamabad played a pivotal role in assisting the US in signing a withdrawal deal with the Taliban. However, soon after the signing of the agreement, Washington started taking a hostile approach towards Pakistan. It blamed Islamabad for its failure in the 20-year-long War on Terror in Afghanistan.
A Shift in Alliances: Pakistan’s Strategic Pivot Toward China and Russia
Pakistan’s tilt toward China was one of the major reasons behind this policy shift in the United States. The former hosts the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s BRI initiative. The US prioritized its relations with India over its ties with Pakistan. The US seeks to counter the rise of China as a superpower. India is the sole South Asian country having hostile relations with China. It also holds the potential to challenge Beijing. Therefore, the United States seeks to use India as a regional proxy against China.
On the other hand, its former regional ally, Pakistan, is still suffering from the menace of terrorism. TTP is using the Afghan soil to conduct terrorist activities in Pakistan. What’s more alarming is that the terrorist organization has gained access to US weapons, which allegedly the US forces intentionally left behind to keep the region destabilized. This has enhanced the capabilities of the TTP and ISKP.
However, Pakistan’s military is still firm in its resolution to counter the terrorist organizations. Pakistan has recently apprehended one of the top commanders of the ISKP, Mohammad Sharifullah. US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan for capturing and handing over Sharifullah to the United States. Despite such heavy losses for Pakistan in its counter-terrorism operations and collaboration with the US, it faces sanctions by the latter. Pakistan is also among the countries affected by the USAID ban. Moreover, reports suggest that the Trump administration has banned the entry of Pakistani citizens into the US due to security concerns. The ban is set to take effect next week.
This demonstrates that the US is unwilling to build cordial relations with Pakistan, instead viewing the country primarily through the lens of its rivalry with China. This is the right moment for the Pakistani government to review its foreign policy and augment its efforts to forge strong strategic and trade ties with Russia and China, the two leaders of the new multipolar world order. Russia is leading an inclusive world order. Its de-dollarization campaign presents an opportunity for developing countries to circumvent US sanctions and free themselves from the constraints of Western financial institutions. Pakistan must accelerate its efforts to join BRICS to expand its diplomatic influence. This will also enable the country to follow an independent foreign policy. This will also provide Pakistan an opportunity to gain access to the Central Asian markets, which are crucial for stabilizing its economy and fulfilling its energy needs. Moreover, unlike the US, Russia and China do not hold a reputation for betraying their allies after achieving their regional and global ambitions.
Taut Bataut – is a researcher and writer that publishes on South Asian geopolitics
