America and Pakistan’s Deteriorating Relations

Pakistan is predicting (given its long experience) that America will run away from this region again. It will likely try to improve the relations between Karzai and the Taliban and let India be responsible for the conflicts in this region. This is why we are nervous and anxious. Pakistan cut off relations with the U.S. after the Abbottabad incident. However, the relations improved a little between the countries since May 27 when Mike Mullen and Leon Panetta visited Pakistan in hopes of beginning a “strategic dialogue.” Because “strategic dialogue” takes time, both countries still seem to be involved in these discussions. For example, William Brownfield came here to resume discussions on the process on July 5.

Pakistan has already announced that it will fight terrorism. It has said that although it cannot eradicate the roots of terrorism, it will try to contain its growth. Pakistan has built an academy that specializes in helping to prevent terrorist attacks. The wide-spread terrorist bombings in Pakistan have resulted in the deaths of 11,000 people. Twenty-thousand have been injured. Gas pipelines and railways have also been damaged.

Though America says that it is still looking for the right time to initiate a “strategic dialogue,” its true goals are different. It wants to successfully withdraw from Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s friendship will help it succeed. Not only does Obama need the votes of 500,000 Pakistani-Americans, he also needs the backing of the Pakistani government. They do not want to lose our help. They say that they can win the war in Afghanistan. All that really means is that they can successfully withdraw from Afghanistan, not actually win the war. They say that Pakistan is a difficult country and that maintaining good relations with it is a daunting task. However, they acknowledge that they need to have some kind of relationship with us. Robert Gates has said that breaking relations with Pakistan would only exacerbate America’s problems.

They want to be our ally only to further their own agenda. To get our support, some of them have started saying that Pakistan has sacrificed a lot for us (and lost many lives in the process) over the years. They also say that they are responsible for the animosity between India and Pakistan, claiming that stable relations between the countries would solve many problems.

President Zardari recently met with Indian Defense Minister Krishna. Nirupama Rao, foreign secretary of India, has also visited Pakistan and talks between both countries seem to be improving. Zardari, upon a recent visit to the Institute of International Strategic Studies in London, commented on Pakistan’s now healthy and stable relations with its neighboring countries (such as India and China) in light of its deteriorating relations with America. He also participated in a conference in Tehran where he strongly condemned the U.S. drone attacks, sending an important message to the West. All these events show that Pakistan is heading in a different direction; it is sending a message to the U.S. that it is bringing significant changes in its policies. These policies include building better relations with London rather than America (David Cameron has said that whoever is Pakistan’s enemy is England’s enemy). These policies will reduce Pakistan’s dependence on the U.S. and instead help it focus on building and maintaining good relations with other countries. The Russian Ground Forces chief, Alexander Postnikov, visited Pakistan on May 20. Similarly, Pakistan is also engaging in talks with China.

We learned from the Abbottabad incident that America does not trust us. They have treated our people and country badly. Obama is making anti-Pakistani statements now. David Petraeus has replaced Panetta and is the current Director of the CIA. Panetta insulted General Pasha when he visited Islamabad. We will not be able to change their arrogant ways. Instead, we must change ourselves. Panetta, who is now the U.S. secretary of defense should be advised to reduce the American military presence in this region. He has said that the U.S. must reflect and prepare today for the conflicts and wars that it may need to participate in tomorrow. Pakistan (and China, you too!): Keep watch on them.