A stable, democratic, prosperous Pakistan is considered vital to U.S. interests. U.S. concerns regarding Pakistan include regional and global terrorism; Afghan stability; democratisation and human rights protection; the ongoing Kashmir problem and Pakistan-India tensions; and economic development. A U.S.-Pakistan relationship marked by periods of both co-operation and discord was transformed by the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the ensuing enlistment of Pakistan as a key ally in U.S.-led counter-terrorism efforts. Top U.S. officials have praised Pakistan for its ongoing co-operation, although doubts exist about Islamabad's commitment to some core U.S. interests. Pakistan is identified as a base for terrorist groups and their supporters operating in Kashmir, India, and Afghanistan. Pakistan's army has conducted unprecedented and largely ineffectual counter-terrorism operations in the country's western tribal areas, where Al Qaeda operatives and their allies are believed to enjoy "safe haven." U.S. officials increasingly are concerned that the cross-border infiltration of Islamist militants from Pakistan into Afghanistan is a key obstacle to defeating the Taliban insurgency. The United States strongly encourages maintenance of a bilateral cease-fire and continued, substantive dialogue between Pakistan and neighbouring India, which have fought three wars since 1947. A perceived Pakistan-India nuclear arms race has been the focus of U.S. non-proliferation efforts in South Asia. Attention to this issue intensified following nuclear tests by both countries in 1998.

Book Information
ISBN 9781606926499
Author Charles B. Kelly
Format Hardback
Page Count 244
Imprint Nova Science Publishers Inc
Publisher Nova Science Publishers Inc
Weight(grams) 512g