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- Created a new document for Pakistan Affairs with sections on historical personalities, partition, national integration, economic challenges, political stability, foreign policy, and climate change. - Added multiple topics related to Kashmir and intergovernmental organizations. - Established a new index page for CSS Notes 2025, outlining the purpose and organization of the notes.
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United States of America remains one of the first countries to have established diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Although the relationship dates back to October 1947, during each era the relation has been based strictly on military and economic support.
!timeline of pak-us relations mindmap.excalidraw
Cold War Alliance (1950s-1960s)
During the Cold War (1945–1991), Pakistan allied itself with the Western Bloc led by the United States against the Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union. During this era, Pakistan joined both the SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization), and CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) which was originally known as the Baghdad Pact.
Both these treaties were like NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in that its independent member states agreed to defend each other against attacks by third parties. SEATO was made to contain and counter Soviet expansion in Southeast Asia, while CENTO was created to counter Soviet Expansion in the Middle East.
Pakistan's motive behind joining both these organizations was to secure military and economic aid and a desire for Western support in its conflict with India.
Pakistan formally withdrew from SEATO in 1973 because the US had failed to provide support during its conflict with India (Fall of Dhaka). CENTO on the other hand was dissolved in 1979, following the Iranian Revolution.
Afghan Jihad (1980s)
In 1979 war broke out in Afghanistan between Islamic guerreilla fighters and Soviet troops. Since Pakistan shared a long border with Afghanistan, the US saw Pakistan (under General Zia-ul-Haq) as a strategic partner to funnel weapons, funds, and intelligence support to anti-Soviet fighters (Mujahideen). In this way, for the first time, Pakistan became a frontline state for the US. During this era, Pakistan received $3.2 billion in aid from the US.
Sanctions Era (1990s)
In 1990, fearing the development of Pakistan's nuclear program, the Pressler Ammendment imposed sanctions on Pakistan. The US cut all military and economic aid to halt Pakistan nuclear developement. Relations further stagnated when Pakistan finally conducted its first nuclear test in 1998.
Post 9/11 (2021-2011)
After the terrorirst attack of 9/11, the US invaded Afghanistan for the second time, this time to hunt Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Pakistan once more became a frontline state for the US as the US relied heavily on Pakistan for logistics and intelligence within Afghanistan. Pakistan become a "Major Non-NATO ally" and received over $20 billion in military and economic aid during this era. This is also the time period when US started conducting drone strikes within Pakistan to attack Taliban members and supporters.
Trust Deficit (2011-2021)
After the US conducted a unilateral military operation in Pakistan, which led to the killing of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, relations between both countries froze. The US accused Pakistan of "double dealing". The US claimed that while Pakistan publicly supported the U.S. War on Terror, it was secretly aiding or tolerating the Afghan Taliban and other extremist groups behind the scenes. Pakistan denied these accusations but the relations didn't improve.
Post Afghanistan Withdrawal (2021-Present)
Since the withdrawal of US from Afghanistan, Pakistan has lost its leverage as a strategic ally in the region. Now the US has pivoted towards an Indo-Pacific policy which is focused on countering China by building relations with India as a key ally. Pakistan itself is now focusing on deepening its ties with China and Russia as it aims to diversify its alliances.
Related Ideas
Challenges and Opportunities in redefining Pak-US relations in a post-911 and post-Afghanistan context US interests in the Indo-Pacific region and ties with India and their impacts on Pak–US relations
References
The Untold Stories of Ups and Downs in the PAK-US Relationship from 1947-2024 Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, Wikipedia Central Treaty Organization, Wikipedia Afghan War, Britannica