The Future of Cooperation Between the United States and Pakistan

The relationship between the United States and Pakistan has been redefined repeatedly since Pakistans independence in 1947. It will continue to be strained by mutual distrust, internal threats to Pakistans stability, Pakistans relations with its neighbors and militants, and the U.S. role in Afghanistan beyond 2014. But there is a growing recognition that the U.S.-Pakistan relationship is one of mutual necessitytransactional rather than strategic. This pragmatic recognition, along with recent developments (such as the peaceful transfer of power between elected civilian governments, the militarys declining prestige, and the political establishments growing willingness to engage constructively with India) and ongoing pressures (such as Pakistans youth bulge and energy crisis), give the United States and Pakistan a chance to focus on areas where cooperation is actually possible: civilian aid, trade relations, and support to Pakistans private sector. The author based these findings on interviews and rountables involving more than 220 officials and experts during a two-month field visit in Pakistan in late 2012.