Reorienting U.S. Pakistan Strategy From Af-Pak to Asia

[Neutron]

Author: Daniel S. Markey, Adjunct Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia

Overview
As U.S. and coalition forces prepare to draw down troops in Afghanistan, this new report urges Washington to view Pakistan not solely or even principally in the context of U.S.-Afghanistan policy, but rather to reorient the relationship toward Asia. "A U.S. strategy for Asia that does not contemplate Pakistan's role is incomplete, and a U.S. strategy for Pakistan that primarily considers its role in the context of Afghanistan is shortsighted," writes the report's author, Daniel S. Markey, CFR senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia.

The report, Reorienting U.S. Pakistan Strategy: From Af-Pak to Asia, outlines a two-pronged approach to future U.S. policy for Pakistan: defend against security threats, and support Pakistan's economic growth and normalized relations with its neighbors. Markey recommends that the United States:

• launch a new diplomatic dialogue with China, India, and Pakistan to reduce prospects for regional tension and violence;

• sign a trade deal that also encourages trade between India and Pakistan;

• reallocate assistance in Pakistan to improve trade and transit infrastructure; and

• integrate Pakistan into East and South Asia policymaking across the State Department, National Security Council, and Department of Defense, and deemphasize the Af-Pak connection.

Markey is the author of No Exit from Pakistan: America's Tortured Relationship with Islamabad,which explains how Washington can prepare for the worst, aim for the best, and avoid past mistakes in U.S.-Pakistan relations.

 

[the maria]

new diplomatic dialogue is in progress

 

[Indus Pakistan]

So in a nutshell out of shadow of Afghanistan and into the shadow of India. Thanks Yanks ...

 

[Kompromat]

So in a nutshell out of shadow of Afghanistan and into the shadow of India. Thanks Yanks ...

They have unsuccessfully been trying since the 50's.

 

[wiseone2]

They have unsuccessfully been trying since the 50's.

I do not know what is worse for Pakistanis - being grouped with India or being grouped with the nutcases in the Middle East

IMO anything is better than being hyphenated with the Afghanistan

 

[Tiger Genie]

So in a nutshell out of shadow of Afghanistan and into the shadow of India. Thanks Yanks ...

Going by the 4 bulleted points in the overview, what part of it makes you say that? If at all Pakistan gets to be in any shadow, it'd be in China's; India simply does not have the economic strength, military power or political will to overshadow Pakistan. Secondly Pakistan is really too big and has critical mass to be a shadow side show - so comparisons with countries such as Nepal or Sri Lanka don't apply.

Shouldn't we therefore welcome any measure that promotes Indo-Chin-Pak relationship and trade?

Mind you, I am no fan of Pakistan and have been quite upset about the atrocities that country has committed in recent past - but I do think they have reaped the punishment for what they sowed, so perhaps it is time to get them back into the light of just normal life -

 

[Kompromat]

I do not know what is worse for Pakistanis - being grouped with India or being grouped with the nutcases in the Middle East

IMO anything is better than being hyphenated with the Afghanistan

We need not group with anyone, you are our enemy, ME is not. We have backed out from the ME as well, a sign of Pakistan too reconsidering its options and a long term geopolitical setup with China.

 

[Hyperion]

With the new geopolitical setup alongside China, ME will become our enemy number one (if you can classify them as such) in the not too distant future, and India, as far as we are concerned will become irrelevant or just a thorn. Same goes for India, regarding Pakistan. I see convergence of business interests in our immediate neighborhood and severe divergence of view points, as far as ME is concerned.

We need not group with anyone, you are our enemy, ME is not. We have backed out from the ME as well, a sign of Pakistan too reconsidering its options and a long term geopolitical setup with China.

 

[The Terminator]

@Horus bro tell me what to do m new here? is my registration membership all stuff ok and clear or i would have to do something more to be a full member here? any info plz

 

[Sugarcane]

@Horus bro tell me what to do m new here? is my registration membership all stuff ok and clear or i would have to do something more to be a full member here? any info plz

You are all set to go, only thing remaining is ransom payment. Tell me your income, so that i can make parchi as per your paying capacity.

 

[The Terminator]

You are all set to go, only thing remaining is ransom payment. Tell me your income, so that i can make parchi as per your paying capacity.

i dont pay any ransom

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Going by the 4 bulleted points in the overview, what part of it makes you say that? If at all Pakistan gets to be in any shadow, it'd be in China's; India simply does not have the economic strength, military power or political will to overshadow Pakistan. Secondly Pakistan is really too big and has critical mass to be a shadow side show - so comparisons with countries such as Nepal or Sri Lanka don't apply.

Shouldn't we therefore welcome any measure that promotes Indo-Chin-Pak relationship and trade?

Mind you, I am no fan of Pakistan and have been quite upset about the atrocities that country has committed in recent past - but I do think they have reaped the punishment for what they sowed, so perhaps it is time to get them back into the light of just normal life -

I would prefer if they looked at Pakistan as .... Pakistan. However I have no beef with American's. They will do what their administration was mandated for, look after and advance the interests of their electorate, the American peoples.

I actually think our currency will increase with the American's over time. As China rises, which despite all the sceptics here will happen that will fuel the rivary between US and China. The next 50 years of geopolitics is going to be all about how US/China square off the world.

In this India will move in with US ( that already can be seen ) and we are going to move more toward China. The US and West willl try to court us by pulling on our traditional linkages with the West.

So all in all it is good news for Pakistan. About decade back I very pessimistic about Pakistan's future and even critical about our role in Afghanistan. Now decade later I have to take hats off to our boys in ISI. They played it well like chessmasters. Raheel is doing a sterling job.

@Tiger Genie I am overwhelmed with your magnanimity.

You know what is a laugh with lot of talk show hosts on Geo and Ary? They talk like as if US Administration or more specifically US President was elected by Pakistani people and he has some obligation to us.

The only obligation US has is to it's own electorate as defined by them. Pakistan government has obligation to look after our interests and any failures rest with them period.

 

[Tiger Genie]

@Atanz - so therefore there is no reason for you to have felt this was some attempt to push Pakistan into Indian shadow.
And you're welcome

 

[Indus Pakistan]

@Atanz - so therefore there is no reason for you to have felt this was some attempt to push Pakistan into Indian shadow.
And you're welcome

There is every reason to feel that. I have Pakistan blood running through my veins so I am going to feel that. It is all about perspective. On the other I understand that what the US is doing is just business. Your boss sacks you, you don't feel good about but you know he is just doing his job.

 

[Tiger Genie]

There is every reason to feel that. I have Pakistan blood running through my veins so I am going to feel that. It is all about perspective. On the other I understand that what the US is doing is just business. Your boss sacks you, you don't feel good about but you know he is just doing his job.

May be because I am not in your shoes I don't get it. BUT even if that is justified, normalization will only occur if you bounce back from feeling bad. You keep fighting yesterday's battles thus guaranteeing loss of tomorrow's! (You is a generalization of what I read a cross section of Pakistanis write, not you personally)