Engaging Pakistan— Getting the Balance Right

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The captioned article has been authored by Ashley J. Tellis , Senior Associate, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (September 2008)

Here is an Excerpt From the Body of the article:

“U.S.–Pakistani relations remain precarious: anti-American sentiments in Pakistan are among the highest in the world; most Pakistanis oppose U.S. military operations against al-Qaeda and the Taliban; and Pakistani civilians remain disenchanted by the Bush administration’s embrace of their military (including former president Pervez Musharraf), even as the military itself harbors deep suspicions of Washington’s intentions toward Pakistan, its friendship with India, and its capacity to stay engaged in southern Asia over the long term. These realities imply that engaging Pakistan successfully will be a difficult challenge for the incoming administration. In contrast to Iraq and Afghanistan, where the problems concerned, at least, evoke discernible solutions, however difficult to carry out, the troubles engulfing Pakistan are not only intractable and viciously self-reinforcing, they also seem impervious to anything other than extreme remedies, which carry the inherent risk of making things worse………..”

Summary of the article: “”Pakistan will remain a daunting challenge for the next American administration. The near-term challenge of defeating terrorism requires Washington to strengthen ties with the Pakistani military—the source of its national problems—whereas the long-term goal of nursing Pakistan to health requires a robust partnership with civilian leaders, which could undermine the military’s counterterrorism cooperation. Unfortunately, the United States cannot choose between these approaches. U.S. strategy in these circumstances ought to consist of:

•    Strengthening the civilian government in Pakistan.

•    Investing in Pakistan’s human capital and supporting its civil society.

•    Assisting Pakistan with counterterrorism while emphasizing the long-term U.S. commitment to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

•    Encouraging Indo–Pakistani reconciliation without American mediation.

•    Encouraging Indo–Pakistani economic integration.

Because Pakistan’s problems are deep-rooted, the United States should be satisfied in the interim with positive trends in governance, macroeconomic management, foreign policy, and temperate ideological orientation.”

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