Will the fight against terrorism bring the US and Pakistan together again?
Source: Tarjoman (Afghanistan)
If we look at the relations between Pakistan and the United States from a historical perspective, Afghanistan has always been at the center of these relations. During the rule of General Ziaulhaq, Afghanistan was waging a war called “jihad” against the Soviet Union, and during the rule of General Musharraf, the war on terrorism and the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban were the focus of US-Pakistan cooperation. These events had a profound impact on the relations between the two countries.
An interesting fact in this regard is that in the 1980s, US President Ronald Reagan and in 2000, President George W. Bush were Republicans. During their terms, the relations between the Pakistani military and the US security services became very close. On the other hand, both Pakistani military leaders, General Zia and General Musharraf, were criticized for the undemocratic nature of their governments, but the US continued to support them based on strategic needs.
History seems to be repeating itself. Today, the US is back in power with Republican President Donald Trump, while Pakistan has a weak democratic government backed by the military. The current Pakistani government is facing serious economic problems, while the military is also facing political and economic criticism. In such circumstances, Trump's positive statements are a sign of warming relations between the Pakistani government and military and the US.
In his first speech to the US Congress in 2025, Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for its cooperation in arresting the mastermind of the suicide attack on US troops at the Kabul airport. A senior US defense official told CBS News that Sharifullah, the mastermind of the attack, was arrested about 10 days ago in a joint operation between Pakistan’s SI and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
About 160 Afghans and 13 American soldiers were killed in a suicide attack on August 26, 2021, at the southern gate of the Kabul airport. The ISIS group claimed responsibility for the attack. US State Department spokesman Tim Bruce also thanked Pakistan for its cooperation in arresting Sharifullah, saying, “Pakistan and we share a common interest in fighting terrorism, and this arrest demonstrates the importance of cooperation between our two countries.”
“We appreciate the President’s praise for Pakistan’s role and support, and we will continue to work closely with the United States to ensure regional security and stability,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said in a statement after Trump’s comments.
Will Pakistan and the US get closer again?
International relations and security experts believe that this cooperation between the Pakistani military and the US government could be a sign of strengthening relations between the two countries. However, it is not yet clear whether the cooperation will be limited to these operations or will extend to a broader range.
Kamran Bukhari, director of the New Lines Institute, told the BBC that the fight against terrorism is no longer as crucial to the United States as it once was. The US was once concerned that the Taliban would not take power in Afghanistan, but with the withdrawal of US troops in 2021, priorities have changed.
"The era when Pakistan received financial assistance from the US as part of defense cooperation is over," he added. "But if Pakistan can adapt to the new US policy, there may be opportunities for cooperation again."
Extremism expert Khurram Iqbal believes that the increased activity of extremist groups in Afghanistan, including ISIS, could pave the way for long-term cooperation between Pakistan and the US. He noted that American weapons left behind after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan are now in the hands of terrorist groups.
Donald Trump has announced that he intends to bring back weapons from Afghanistan, but this will come at a time when relations between Pakistan and the Taliban government in Afghanistan are tense, and Pakistan no longer has the influence it once had over the Taliban.
Pakistan's role in the new US policy
Experts believe that Pakistan can play an effective role in US counterterrorism policy, especially given the growing activity of groups such as ISIS and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistan has always cooperated with the United States in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan, said Shuja Nawaz, head of the Center for South Asian Studies in Washington. However, it is unclear whether the US considers Pakistan outside China's sphere of influence.
"The Biden administration has viewed Pakistan from the perspective that its relationship with China is very close," he added. "It is now unclear what changes the Trump administration will make to that view."
Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a defence expert and former defence secretary of Pakistan, said many issues of intelligence cooperation remain behind the scenes.
“ISIS is a common enemy of Pakistan, the US and the Taliban,” he said. “As the group expands its activities in the region, the US may need Pakistan.”
He stressed that Pakistan has never been geopolitically insignificant to the United States. US relations with China, Iran, and India show that the US still understands the importance of Pakistan. However, in the current situation, Pakistan is very weak politically and economically, so it has to follow US orders.
Lodhi also said that the US is keen to reopen its military bases in Afghanistan, especially Bagram, and that Trump’s announcements about withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and returning weapons should be seen in this context.
Conclusion
The relationship between Pakistan and the United States is entering a new phase. The United States is seeking intelligence cooperation with Pakistan to counter threats from ISIS and other extremist groups in Afghanistan. On the other hand, Pakistan faces serious economic and political challenges that could force the country to accept the US's terms.
However, experts say that Pakistan should learn from its past mistakes and pursue a more independent policy rather than rely solely on American aid. Otherwise, it could find itself drawn back into the great power game without securing its national interests.
