Washington Views Pakistan as a Partner in the Afghan Arena
Author: Ahmad Saidi, Analyst on Afghanistan and Regional Issues (Switzerland), Exclusive for "Sangar"
Original article: عاصم منیر باز به آمریکا میرود
Within two months, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, will visit the United States for the second time.
The trip of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff to America is connected with the redefinition of military relations amid regional and global competition.
In the past one or two weeks, I did not have the opportunity to prepare an analysis of the current situation in the region and beyond, so today I would like to present some notes on what is happening at the regional and global levels.
In my opinion, South Asia and the Middle East are currently experiencing complex geopolitical developments. The upcoming second visit of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Commander of the Pakistan Army, to the US is accompanied by diplomatic activity from other countries. At the same time, pressure from the United States on India has increased, while America’s relations with Pakistan are evolving differently, becoming closer. These developments indicate the beginning of new regional games under Pakistan’s supervision and cooperation, which I intend to analyze further.
Despite Pakistan’s history of playing a double game in regional matters, unfortunately, the US has once again placed its trust in Islamabad and decided to continue “playing” with Pakistan. Since Pakistan borders Afghanistan, China, Iran, and India, it plays a key role in regional developments, under the direction of the US, as it has in the past and likely will in the future.
Based on past experience, Washington prefers cooperation with Pakistan in combating terrorism and maintaining regional stability, believing Pakistan to be more obedient and compliant than India or Iran. The US sees Pakistan as a longtime companion and ally.
While China and India are expanding their influence, the US seeks to maintain a balance of power in the region through its relationship with Pakistan, hoping to once again assign it the role of “regional policeman.”
Relations between the US and India have recently become strained due to trade tariffs imposed by Washington, India’s purchase of Russian oil, and threats of further sanctions. Against this backdrop, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, as well as the National Security Advisor of India’s working meeting with Vladimir Putin this week, indicate New Delhi’s effort to diversify its foreign relations and reduce dependence on the US.
Afghanistan, as a crossroads of regional and global powers’ interests, remains at the center of geopolitical games. Pakistan, Iran, India, China, and the US all seek influence in the country. Pakistan, in particular, tries to maintain relations with the Taliban and act as a mediator to continually strengthen its influence in Afghanistan and shape the fate of the Taliban government so that it cannot operate without Islamabad’s consent.
Iran, given regional developments, also seeks to preserve and expand its influence in Afghanistan and the Middle East. Its contacts with the Taliban and efforts to play a role in Afghanistan’s developments are part of Tehran’s strategy to counter US influence and that of its allies in the region.
Countries that can use smart diplomacy and leverage economic and security opportunities to increase their influence in the region will be the winners. Those who fail to develop effective strategies amid new changes will lose influence and interests, facing internal and external crises.
