It ain’t that easy being a ‘per-need’ ally. If you do more, you will be burdened with doing more. This is sort of what the US is trying to convey to the Pakistani leadership. Ever since Mike Mullen upped the ante with his tirade against the ISI, the US has found new ways of strongarming Pakistan to get what it wants regardless of the fact whether they are in line with Pakistan’s interests or not. This just doesn’t add up, Pakistan being a non-Nato ally and a strategic partner.
President Obama has just outlined, in what seems to be serious concern rather than just a simple reminder, that they cannot let Pakistan walk around hand-in-hand with the militants. He has said that Islamabad will have to “protect US interests” in the long run if this strategic partnership has to continue. What this translates into is that the US is neither happy about Pakistan’s links with the Haqqani network nor is particularly pleased with its bets hedged over the militants’ government in Kabul once the US leaves these shores. America is clearly oblivious, or chooses to be so, to the fact that no two countries, howsoever hand in glove they are, can have the same policy objectives for it will surely cause trouble for their local, regional and internal policies.
If history teaches us anything, it is that nothing remains the same. What the situation in Afghanistan is today may not be the same tomorrow. It may deteriorate, as it did in the aftermath of Afghan jihad of the ’80s, or it may improve as the US and Pakistani leadership hopes. But we just cannot bury our heads in the sand and overlook ground realities. It is nigh impossible to have a central government in Afghanistan – it is one of the objectives outlined by Obama – due to its vast area, tribal society, ethnic fissures and the violence that has afflicted it for a long time. The US administration better pay heed to Gen McChrystal, the former US commander in Afghanistan, who said that they lacked understanding of the region, people and their language when they invaded the country, and still do.
There is no doubt that both countries have divergent interests, particularly in the aftermath of US drawdown from the region. But this should not be a bone stuck in the throat; it should rather encourage both to find common ground, end strife in the region and maintain a relationship for years to come.