Droning in on Pakistan

The policy that is backfiring The final session of debate between the two US presidential candidates largely focused on international affairs and foreign policy. The main questions asked by the moderator related to preserving US interests in the coming presidential term. The position of President Obama is already known to the world through 284 drone strikes ordered during his presidential term in Pakistan alone. As for as Romney is considered, the response was: “I believe that we should use any and all means necessary to take out people who pose a threat to us and our friends around the world. The president was right to up the usage of that technology and believe that we should continue to use it to continue to go after the people who represent a threat to this nation and to our friends.” In short, whoever comes into power, the drone strikes will continue. The issues related to Pakistan are very complex in nature. This country is a clear example of mess up created by the world powers for purposes of attainment of their own ambitions. However, the question as to the objective to be achieved by this drone campaign haunts many a Pakistani. Where does the foreign policy of this country stand? Pakistan, it seems, has paid too heavy a price as an ally in the war on terror. The country has lost more than 40,000 of its soldiers and civilians during the last 10 years since this war started. Furthermore, this country hosts millions of Afghan refugees, earning from the valuable resources generated by this very state. Why is it, then, that Pakistan is held answerable for every decision made in Pentagon? Frankly speaking, Pakistan was dismally betrayed at the end of Afghan War when millions of Afghans and Pakistanis were left at the mercy of mujahideen. The creation of Al-Qaeda and strengthening of Taliban was a reaction to the ignorance of American establishment towards the plight of both the countries. The American establishment did nothing to console the millions of Afghan families that were affected during the war, nothing was done to cover the loss of the refugees, the investments made in the military establishment of Pakistan in the 1980s resulted in creating strong jehadi forces that have now got their roots strongly sunk in the tribal roots of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Drone strikes have been much appreciated by the American establishment as they feel that the results achieved by this strategy have been very helpful in defeating Al-Qaeda. However, this policy has garnered much support for the anti-American forces in this war on terror. The super power lies far away from this troubled region. The opponents to the American establishment lack vision and resources to counter them. Major financial problems related to the American economy have kept anti-drone activists away from creating hype and support against this violation of the international law. However, the long term policy of “droning in” on Pakistan will not work out well. Pakistan is facing major socio-economic crisis due to deteriorating law and order situation. The policymakers of Pakistan point out many reasons for this deterioration in law and order, but they mainly put the blame on the Americans for leaving them unattended after the end of the Cold War. The American president’s job is a tough one as his policies affect many countries around the world. America has often been blamed for ignoring the interests of its coalition partners. The policy followed by the Obama Administration in the past two years has brought both Pakistan and America on the verge of hostile relations. The operation against Osama bin Laden in Pakistan may be a highlight for Obama’s second presidential bid but the way the American administration handled Pakistan after the operation really brought the Pakistani civil and military leadership to a decisive point of choosing a different line of action for future. The attack on Salala check post later on pinned another nail in the coffin of “strong US-Pak relations”. The policy for war on terror is and will be based in line with protecting American interests and any US president would protect his citizens, but in no way any fruitful result can be achieved without gaining the support of Pakistan. Pakistan is tormented by the continuous assaults on its soil by the US administration. Pakistan has its share of issues but dissatisfaction from and hatred for the US are definitely among them. A change of face will not likely affect the policy of drone attacks in Pakistan. Media reports, on the contrary, claim that the American establishment is planning on expanding the range of drone attacks to other regions too. However, one must wonder what lies after these drone attacks? Can anti-American sentiments be also droned in a country where much blame for all the poverty, hunger, lawlessness and impotency of infrastructure is put on the US? America is planning on withdrawing itself out of Afghanistan in the next two years. The stability of this region is important for peace and prosperity of both America and Pakistan. No matter which policy is adopted, nothing can be achieved without Pakistan’s help. The US policymakers must realise that the sole reason for their victory against Soviet forces was the cooperation that Pakistan offered. Sidelining it now would not help the US achieve its goals. So, dear US President, please drone this country, if you must, with investment, trade, opportunities and long term cooperation if you have the wits to bail out of war. Otherwise, the potential of creating a strong ally is diminishing with every passing day. Adeel Amjad Pakistan today