History often tends to repeat itself and shortsighted leaders tend to repeat errors of their own predecessors. The Trump Administrations emboldening of Pakistan is one such error which will eventually cost the United States dearly. In 1979 the US and Saudi Arabia made a strategic decision to use Pakistan, under the leadership of General Zia ul Haq, to start a proxy war against the USSR in Afghanistan. Over decades, Pakistan has played both sides against each other and 9/11 was the eventual result of this strategic mistake.

The US continued dependance on Pakistan during the War on Terror, not only handed Kabul to the Taliban but also cost the US dearly in terms of human life and money.

The situation today may be a version of history repeating itself. Then the spark was the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan, now the spark is Iran, its nuclear activities and support to terrorism. Then the Islamic revolution in Iran establish the Ayatollah regime we have today. Then Saudi Arabia chose to engage Pakistan as its proxy, now Saudi Arabia has chosen a nuclear Pakistan to be its strategic defence partner. Then Pakistan was ruled by a defacto General who promoted Nawaz Sharif’s political career, now the Sharif brothers are hostage to a Field Marshall who is strengething his de-facto rule.

Pakistan’s emergence as a diplomatic intermediary between Washington and Tehran has transformed its international image almost overnight. Once viewed primarily through the lens of political instability, economic crisis and terrorism, Islamabad has suddenly seem to have become an indispensable diplomatic actor. The successful facilitation of talks between the United States and Iran has earned Pakistan praise from capitals that only months ago were openly critical of its domestic governance and these capitals have now started ignoring Pakistan’s own problems.

This newfound prestige has also reduced........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)