Pak US Relations: Allies under Compulsion?

Abstract

Pakistan US relations are fundamental to the ‘War against Terrorism’. The history of their bilateral relations is full of getting very close and then drifting part. They strongly disagree on most issues but then situations arise that brings them together. Pakistan saw its interests in Afghanistan best served through Taliban, however, US after 1998 and especially after 9/11 considered them as the biggest threat. Pakistan due to its geography was vital to US strategy in Afghanistan. US is also very important for Pakistan economically and also as a supplier of weapons. So, despite divergences they have been compelled to be allies.