ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistan, a nuclear power, home to the worldx second- the largest Muslim population has for has been a reluctant — albeit important — American partner for decades in in campaign against terrorism.
But the country has drifted away from the United States under Prime Minister Imran Khan, especially after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, where Pakistan has long been accused of of cares about the Taliban and is a supporter of the Taliban regime, which took over last year. Pakistan has also entered into a strategic partnership with China and closer ties with Russia.
For two decades after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Pakistan has allegedly been a partner of the US. in war against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban after the US demanded that Pakistan choose sides. Pakistan instead military won dozens of billions of dollars in American help.
But from start the relationship between the two countries was distributed with shared interests, with Pakistan playing but double game: Accept American help, often supporting the very militants the United States has been fighting.
The Pakistani intelligence agency provided the Taliban with planning and training assistance throughout the Afghan war and provided safe haven for the Haqqanis, according to US officials. network action movie organization responsible for a little of deadliest attacks against American troops in Afghanistan. After the Taliban took over power, Pakistani protégés in Haqqani network took on key positions in Afghan government.
Pakistan goal in Afghanistan was supposed to create a sphere of influence to block its nemesis, India, which Pakistan believes supports separatist groups operating from shelters in Afghanistan will cause unrest in Pakistan.
During the Afghan war, the United States tolerated the duplicity of Pakistan. game because, given a choice, American officials chose to wage a chaotic war in Afghanistan to fall out with Pakistan with nuclear weapons. Pakistan ports and airfields proposed critical entrance points and supply lines for American military equipment required in Afghanistan.
But US relations with Pakistan cools down after Navy SEALs kill Osama bin Laden in 2011 in the safe house located next to Pakistani military academy.
China, longtime patron of Pakistan has invested heavily in Pakistani infrastructure. China also counting on Pakistan will mediate in Afghanistan, home to millions of dollars worth of rare earth minerals that have piqued China’s interest, analysts say. Mr Khan in trying to establish closer ties with Moscow, also visited by President Vladimir Putin in Russia hours front invasion of Ukraine. Mister Khan intended to push for multi-billion dollardollar the pipeline will built Pakistani and Russian companies, according to news reports in Pakistan.
If Mr. Khan is overthrown, many experts on in region it is said that Pakistan can become closer to the United States and the West. Above past three years, Pakistan military, which historically defined the foreign policy and security priorities, often disagreed with Mr. Khan’s opinions on distancing from the US, analysts say. These differences affected Mr. Khan’s relationship with in military souring in the last part of his tenure.
One day before no-confidence vote planned to take placeMain of Pakistan Army General Qamar Jawed Bajwa expressed desire to deepen ties with both China and the United States, and pandered to Russia invasion of Ukraine.
