Future Of United States Pakistan Relations

The future of U.S.-Pakistan relations : hearing before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, first session, December 16, 2015.

This project proposes to identify and explore the most prominent factors driving Pakistan's foreign policy and how the US can influence them to achieve its objectives in the region. The two most influential factors identified for this project are: India (sub-element: Kashmir) and Ideology (i.e., Islamic vs. Secular). This project will analyze how these factors relate to Pakistan's domestic stability, security posture, US-Pak relations, external factors (i.e., India) – perhaps influencing it to behave as it does. Once their ramifications have been explored, potential solutions will be offered to minimize their adverse policy impacts and, thus, positively impact US-Pakistan (US-Pak) relations. This paper contends that a resolution to the situation in Afghanistan and achieving South Asian regional stability is not possible without first addressing Pakistan's interests and concerns. Properly addressing them could mitigate issues and remove obstacles otherwise preventing Pakistan from performing as a fully committed and faithful partner in today's South Asian strategic environment.

While the war on terrorism may have provided the rationale for the latest U.S. engagement with Pakistan, the present relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan is at the crossroads of many other issues, such as Pakistan¿s own reform efforts, America¿s evolving strategic relationship with South Asia, democracy in the Muslim world, and the dual problems of religious extremism and nuclear proliferation. This report examines the history and present state of U.S.-Pakistan relations, addresses the key challenges the two countries face, and concludes with specific policy recommendations for ensuring the relationship meets the needs of both the U.S. and Pakistan.

This project proposes to identify and explore the most prominent factors driving Pakistan's foreign policy and how the US can influence them to achieve its objectives in the region. The two most influential factors identified for this project are: India (sub-element: Kashmir) and Ideology (i.e., Islamic vs. Secular). This project will analyze how these factors relate to Pakistan's domestic stability, security posture, US-Pak relations, external factors (i.e., India) -- perhaps influencing it to behave as it does. Once their ramifications have been explored, potential solutions will be offered to minimize their adverse policy impacts and, thus, positively impact US-Pakistan (US-Pak) relations. This paper contends that a resolution to the situation in Afghanistan and achieving South Asian regional stability is not possible without first addressing Pakistan's interests and concerns. Properly addressing them could mitigate issues and remove obstacles otherwise preventing Pakistan from performing as a fully committed and faithful partner in today's South Asian strategic environment.

This book tells the story of the tragic and often tormented relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Pakistan's internal troubles have already threatened U.S. security and international peace, and Pakistan's rapidly growing population, nuclear arsenal, and relationships with China and India will continue to force it upon America's geostrategic map in new and important ways over the coming decades. This book explores the main trends in Pakistani society that will help determine its future; traces the wellsprings of Pakistani anti-American sentiment through the history of U.S.-Pakistan relations from 1947 to 2001; assesses how Washington made and implemented policies regarding Pakistan since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001; and analyzes how regional dynamics, especially the rise of China, will likely shape U.S.-Pakistan relations. It concludes with three options for future U.S. strategy, described as defensive insulation, military-first cooperation, and comprehensive cooperation. The book explains how Washington can prepare for the worst, aim for the best, and avoid past mistakes.

This report discusses current relations between the United States and Pakistan, the historical context of this relationship, and potential avenues for increased cooperation between the United States and Pakistan moving forward. The findings presented in this report are based on individual interviews and roundtables, conducted in Pakistan and the United States with more than 220 people, including policymakers, development experts, bureaucrats, political party representatives, foreign policy experts, journalists, military personnel, civil society representatives, and U.S. government officials.