The Future of U.S.-Pakistan Relations

This project proposes to identify and explore the most prominent factors driving Pakistan's foreign policy and how the US can influence them to achieve its objectives in the region. The two most influential factors identified for this project are: India (sub-element: Kashmir) and Ideology (i.e., Islamic vs. Secular). This project will analyze how these factors relate to Pakistan’s domestic stability, security posture, US-Pak relations, external factors (i.e., India) – perhaps influencing it to behave as it does. Once their ramifications have been explored, potential solutions will be offered to minimize their adverse policy impacts and, thus, positively impact US-Pakistan (US-Pak) relations. This paper contends that a resolution to the situation in Afghanistan and achieving South Asian regional stability is not possible without first addressing Pakistan's interests and concerns. Properly addressing them could mitigate issues and remove obstacles otherwise preventing Pakistan from performing as a fully committed and faithful partner in today's South Asian strategic environment.