Daily Times

President Donald Trump’s Tweet on Pakistan on the first day of 2018 was can’t be disregarded as one of his everyday Twitter ramblings. It was a reflection of the trust deficit between the US and Pakistan.

A trust deficit that is currently at an all time high. Both countries have exchanged a long list of accusations with each other. Multiple threats and non-stop insistence of ‘do more’ by the US has finally culminated in the halting of $900 million in military aid to Pakistan.

Most of this money is reimbursement for the expenses incurred by Pakistan for its anti-terror efforts, while a significant portion is for the logistics Pakistan has provided to the US military for its operations in Afghanistan.

There is no doubt that Pakistan has played a critical role in favour of US interests over the last seven decades. Its role has been most significant in helping the American agenda in Afghanistan over the last forty years. Pakistan has been a frontline warrior in American aggression against Russia in Afghanistan and is still facing the consequences of the venture today. Despite the sacrifices made by this country, the US has made Pakistan a scapegoat for its failures in Afghanistan.

Trump’s Tweet shows the frustration of a person heading a drowning super power. Despite all its military might, Afghanistan became another Vietnam for the US.

Despite all its military might, Afghanistan became another Vietnam for the US. Non-stop engagement in warfare has weakened the US economically and diplomatically. Washington simply cannot afford to admit that it has lost the war in Afghanistan, hence it puts the blame on Pakistan

Non-stop engagement in warfare has weakened the US economically and diplomatically. Washington simply cannot afford to admit that it has lost the war in Afghanistan, hence it puts the blame on Pakistan. But anyone with a very simple understanding of geopolitics knows the US cannot afford to lose Pakistan as an ally.

The US can’t put all the blame for the Taliban issue on Pakistan. It had a significant hand in the arming and training of mujahideen who went on to become the Taliban. Unfortunately, Pakistan was used heinous by the US for its own objectives. In return, Pakistan was paid but has been treated like a servant. The coalition has spent $970 billion on the so-called ‘War on Terror’. Out of this, Pakistan has only received $33 billion.

The situation is made worse by Trump’s erratic and unprofessional behaviour. His Tweets reveal a worrying level of mental instability. In just one year, this man has snubbed or offended several states, including American allies like Germany. He should know that shouting and threatening is not the way to go about international diplomacy.

CPEC has added another layer to the US’ insecurities. Pakistan has taken decisions regarding the multibillion dollar project independent of the US, and it is increasingly more likely that it will be forming relations with other countries in the region like Russia and the Central Asian Republics (CARs) as they also join China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

This will transform international relations in Asia and beyond. Even Afghanistan has eagerly shown that it wants to be a part of the BRI. This situation will lead to future strategic and economic losses for the US.

And this is where US President Donald Trump’s decision to send 14,000 additional troops to Afghanistan comes in. These troops aren’t being sent there to fight the Taliban. Their actual purpose is to defend US interests in the region. It is quite likely that the US will be using its military presence in Afghanistan to disrupt CPEC and BRI, and to cause discord amongst the nations which will be brought together by these projects.

The writer is an Islamabad-based policy advocacy, strategic communication and outreach expert. He can be reached at devcom.pakistan@gmail.com. He tweets @EmmayeSyed

Published in Daily Times, January 10^th 2018.