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AROUND THE WORLD

Washington’s key strategic partners in military aid to Pakistan. But despite Pakistan provides the logistics
that. So much so that it even included, these fulminations, the US kept faith, supply route to the US in its fight
as Pakistan desired, holding however wavering that was, in against the Taliban in Afghanistan and
negotiations discussions with the Pakistan’s help to fight terror in Pakistani army is still believed to have
Taliban and al-Qaeda to see whether Afghanistan. the strongest clout over the Taliban. So,
they would hand over Osama bin Laden Fast forward to 2017, the Trump will Washington prefer to opt for
who was the mastermind behind the administration has so far seemed calibrated use of pressure diplomacy
New York attacks. inclined to take a tough approach to make Pakistan to change its policy
Whipped into submission toward Pakistan. A strong hint of rather than abandon it altogether? It
following the then US Deputy Trump’s assessment of and approach would be naïve to believe that the
Secretary of State Richard Armitage’s to Pakistan was seen on the cards in Trump administration did not factor in
famous rhetoric that American would August last year when he gave a speech a possible retaliation from Pakistan to
bomb Pakistan to the Stone Age if outlining his new Afghanistan policy. the American President’s stern warning
Islamabad did not help destroy al Trump had said “We have been paying and suspension of security aid. In fact,
Qaeda in Afghanistan, Musharraf had Pakistan billions and billions of dollars the US is examining ways to minimize
given full freedom to the US to use at the same time they are housing the the impact of any Pakistani
Pakistan to go after terror in the latter’s very terrorists that we are fighting. But countermeasure even though Pakistan
western neighbour. In return, that will have to change, and that will has not given any indication that it
Washington removed all sanctions and change immediately.” would close its airspace or roads to
did away with a $1 billion loan. Then But the US’s belated move to military supplies. One US official was
Pakistan was also allowed to buy suspend security assistance to quoted as saying that Washington
weapons. The Taliban and its offshoot Pakistan also brings to light the considering of alternative routes to
the Haqqani network in Pakistan have dangers of the duplicity of suspect ally access Afghanistan if Pakistan closes
used Pakistan as a sort of safe haven whose support is crucial because of its territory for the same.
and Pakistan’s powerful military and its geographical location in a decisive Will the Trump administration, like
intelligence service ISI maintained links battle against terrorism in Afghanistan. the previous American governments,
with both the terror outfits driven. TRUMP’S STRONG POSITION release the aid put on hold on a case
However, the September 2001 That duplicity was brought out in telling by case basis leaving the doors open
attacks on New terms after the US special forces’ raid for a patch-up? Will the US aid
York and Washington again brought on Pakistani town of Abbotabad in suspension be enough to prod Pakistan
the US-Pakistan ties into a huge rough 2011 that killed bin Laden, the world’s mend its ways? The US may yet be
patch. The administrations of most wanted man, less than a mile from willing to give Pakistan space and time
Presidents George Bush and Barrack Pakistan’s military academy. So, will to see if the latter takes credible, tangible
Obama expressed exasperation with the US completely snap its relationship and decisive movements against terror.
Pakistan, suggesting that the country with Pakistan where anti-American But there is a big ‘if ’. One has to see if
had not done much to help eradicate sentiment already runs high due to the the US-Pakistan ties remain in
terrorism. In 2011, the United States killing of Pakistani troops and civilians periodical phases of highs and lows.
had also suspended $800 million in in American drone strikes? (PTI Feature)

48 Competition Wizard March 2018