American policy makers always want something from nations around the world. Oil from Saudi Arabia, the dirty work Israel does for America, torture sites in Poland and Thailand, and so forth. The US demands from Pakistan for over a decade have been to disassociate itself from the Sopranos of the Afghanistan war or what the US intelligence calls the crime clan: The Haqqani Network.
The American surveillance dragnet had picked up General Kayani’s phone conversation where he allegedly labelled the Haqqani Network as a strategic asset. The Haqqani Network is responsible for a large number of American soldiers’ deaths in Afghanistan.
Let us compare how the US president demands ‘do more’ from Pakistan to how he demands it from China. In the case of Haqqani Network, Pakistan is pressured with insults, threats, taunts of support to India. Nikki Haley, United States ambassador to the United Nations, even advocated using India to keep an eye on Pakistan. United States Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson recently threatened that if Pakistan didn’t take action against terrorists and safe havens then “We’ll deal with it ourselves”. Defense Secretary Mattis threatened Pakistan with sanctions, delisting Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally, and escalation of drone strikes if Pakistan didn’t change its policy after the US gives it ‘one more chance’.
Let us look at what the US wants from China and in which manner are the demands made? Among other issues, Trump wants China to use its influence to defuse the threat emanating from North Korea. Trump demands that China suspend oil shipments to North Korea. Trump’s charming offensive for the Chinese president had started long ago. On this recent visit, he saluted president Xi for leading a country that has left the United States ‘so far behind’. The praise heaped on president Xi and the respect shown to China is in stark contrast to Trump’s anti-China rhetoric during his campaign trail. He whined that China was exploiting America. Notice that that is a more serious allegation compared to the accusing finger raised at Pakistan.
On this recent visit, he saluted president Xi for leading a country that has left the United States ‘so far behind’. The praise heaped on president Xi and the respect shown to China is in stark contrast to Trump’s anti-China rhetoric during his campaign trail
Trump said, “I don’t blame China. After all, who can blame a country for taking advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens?” I wonder if the same standard would be applied to Pakistan as well since Pakistan is also looking out for its national interests. When Pakistan makes policies and takes actions that are beneficial for the safety and security of this land, a need no Pakistani can deny, how come nobody is willing to understand that Pakistan should not be blamed for doing what’s beneficial for its own citizens? Most importantly, Pakistan is not exploiting America.
Pakistan embraced the Jihadists during the 1980s because the Americans wanted it to. Mujahideen leaders were welcomed in the Oval office by US president Ronald Reagan who equated them to the founding fathers of the United States. Jalaluddin Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani Network was called ‘goodness personified’ by Representative Charlie Wilson. Pakistan has paid an enormous price for shaping its policies according to the wishes and whims of the American leaders.
Trump called on Xi to ‘do more’ to rein in North Korea’s nuclear program. Trump said, “China can fix this problem easily and quickly… And I’m calling on China and your president to hopefully work on it … and work on it hard.” No threat can be detected in the tone. Kim’s nukes can be more lethal for the American heartland than the Haqqani Network could ever be. Yet, nobody threatened China with drones, sanctions or having may be Japan keep an eye on China.
Rex Tillerson described Trump’s meeting with Xi in the following words: “You are a very powerful neighbour of theirs; you account for 90-plus percent of their economic activity; you’re a strong man you can, I’m sure, solve this for me. And so he was very clear with him and said he believes it can be solved.” Notice that there is respect in the tone. No use of a language that would tell the Chinese that if you wouldn’t rein in the North Koreans then we will do it ‘in a different way’. Pakistan must stand up for its respect on the world stage. Those who never stand up for their respect will stand for nothing in life. It is not possible for an American president to come to Pakistan and make a demand without making any threat, as is the norm. I agree that China is a strong economy and it belongs to the big club. But I must also point out that China didn’t get there by tolerating threats and insults and having their leaders still publicly say that they were ready to work with the Americans. One doesn’t bend backward to gain kudos from one’s aid donor.
According to a study by the College of William and Mary’s Aid Data research lab, Russia is the biggest aid recipient of the Chinese aid but the Chinese don’t go to Moscow to threaten and insult Russia. The Chinese ambassador to the UN doesn’t recommend having the US keep an eye on Russia. Pakistan should convince the Americans to talk to them like friends, not masters. Soldiers fight and give their lives for the sake of their beloved motherland. Leaders should at least fight for the nation’s respect instead of dumping stolen money in offshore companies.
The writer is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Houston, and he teaches political science at the Lone Star College in Houston
Published in Daily Times, November 17th 2017.