Nikki Haley is at it again. At least when it comes to accusing Pakistan of harbouring terrorists that have American soldiers in their sights. Once more the narrative was repeated, in a recent interview, about how Islamabad has received more than one billion dollars from Washington only to fail to do any of the latter’s bidding. So, too, were there reminders of the foolhardiness that comes with keeping the cash flowing this way. Or words to that effect. This is something that this country has heard before; particularly under the Trump administration. Moreover, the US ambassador to the UN has just three weeks of her tenure left. Meaning that it is quite understandable that Ms Haley is using the remaining time to reinforce her boss’ tough-talking message. Except that she appears to have put the proverbial cat among the pigeons. After all, earlier this month saw a slight thawing in Washington’s approach to Pakistan. First there was President Trump’s letter to Imran Khan seeking the latter’s help in securing the Afghan quagmire; while acknowledging that the war across the Durand Line has also cost this country dear. Then came the message from the incoming chief of the US Central Command (Centcom) that pledged to prioritise engagement with Islamabad. There was also talk of recognising prevailing security concerns regarding India. All of which suggests that either Ms Haley did not receive the memo about tentatively courting Pakistan. Or else that Trump only remembers his written words when tweeting. Of course, it could simply be a question of the President dividing up the carrot and stick. But whatever the case may be, it represents an untimely misstep. And a potentially disastrous waste in terms of opportunity lost. Donald Trump is halfway through his first term in office. Imran Khan’s premiership has only just begun. Thus this ought to be the moment to reset the bilateral relationship. Not to punish or remonstrate a government for events that happened before it swept to power. And especially when this involves accepting no responsibility for the fine mess that the Af-Pak region finds itself in. If the US does not agree upon a single policy approach towards Pakistan that is in everyone’s interest the chances of peace will remain forever out of reach. What must happen now is for Prime Minister Khan to actively nudge the Americans into viewing ties with this country above and beyond the prism of Afghan security. In much the same way Washington juggles policy conflicts with, say, Russia, to continue the Putin bromance. Or, more recently, the spectacular refusal to allow the murder of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi to get in the way of relations with the Saudis; whose petro-dollars runneth over. Thus the new political set-up must persuade Trump that Islamabad represents a strategic partner beyond getting the Taliban to the Afghan peace table; even while the top US military commander is calling for international forces to stay put. After all, there is no reason why India should be the Washington’s most reliable ally in the region. Not when the latter is playing a double game in Kabul to target Pakistan. Or continues to commit human rights abuses in -held Kashmir that undoubtedly contravene the American ‘values’ that Ms Haley believes in exporting to the rest of the world. When all is said and done, Islamabad has regional allies in the way of Saudi Arabia, China and Russia. And while the US continues to rely on New Delhi to clip Beijing’s wings — such dynamics do not bode well for peace and security. But playing nice with Pakistan will. * Published in Daily Times, December 11th 2018.