America Trusting the Wrong Ally Again? Pakistan’s ‘Terror Fight’ Raises Eyebrows
In a statement that has sparked both strategic curiosity and moral criticism, General Michael Kurilla, the head of the United States Central Command, recently described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in the ongoing fight against terrorism. According to General Kurilla, since the beginning of 2024, Pakistan has witnessed over 1,000 terrorist attacks in its western provinces, resulting in the deaths of around 700 security personnel and nearly 2,500 civilians.
He further emphasized that despite limited intelligence resources, Pakistan is actively and aggressively confronting terrorist elements—thereby becoming a key player in America’s counter-terrorism network.
But this sudden praise for Pakistan raises a bigger question: Is the United States once again placing its trust in the same country that once harbored the world’s most wanted terrorist?
The Ghost of Osama Bin Laden
It wasn’t too long ago that the U.S. was left stunned when its Navy SEALs found and killed Osama bin Laden in the garrison town of Abbottabad, just a stone’s throw away from Pakistan’s military academy. For years, Pakistan denied knowledge of bin Laden’s presence on its soil, leading many U.S. officials to question whether the country was secretly sheltering terrorists while publicly calling itself an ally in the War on Terror.
The memory of that betrayal still lingers. Yet, a decade later, America seems to be extending an olive branch again—this time in the form of military cooperation and diplomatic engagements.
A Warm Welcome for Pakistan’s Military Chief
Adding fuel to the fire is the invitation extended to Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to visit Washington D.C. on June 14th. The occasion? The 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. While such gestures are often symbolic, in this case, it is being interpreted as a significant shift in America’s approach toward Pakistan.
Is this a signal that the U.S. sees Pakistan as a renewed strategic partner in South Asia, especially amidst rising tensions with Iran, a volatile Afghanistan, and the growing influence of China?
Or is it a short-sighted move that ignores Pakistan’s long-standing ties to terror networks such as the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and various factions of the Taliban?
Strategic Necessity or Strategic Blunder?
From a geopolitical standpoint, Pakistan holds undeniable importance—bordering China, Iran, India, and Afghanistan. Its role in regional stability, or chaos, cannot be underestimated. For the U.S., it remains a crucial player in intelligence-sharing, drone operations, and managing extremism near the Afghan border.
However, critics argue that America’s recurring trust in Pakistan has often backfired. Billions of dollars in aid over the past two decades have yielded little in terms of long-term peace or elimination of extremist ideology from the region. If anything, Pakistan’s dual-play—being both the firefighter and the arsonist—has only made matters worse.
The Bigger Picture
In the age of global counter-terrorism, strategic alliances are necessary. But they cannot come at the cost of selective memory. The world must ask—can a state be called a trusted partner if its soil continues to breed the very forces we’re all fighting against?
America may see Pakistan as a partner of necessity, but history reminds us that convenience often comes with consequences.
While the U.S. may believe it’s betting on the right horse this time, it must tread carefully. Because in the world of geopolitics, especially when terror is involved, trust is a currency that’s expensive—and often irreversible.
‘Terror Fight’ Raises EyebrowsIn a statement that has sparked both strategic curiosity and moral criticism, General Michael Kurilla, the head of the United States Central Command, recently described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in the ongoing fight against terrorism. According to General Kurilla, since the beginning of 2024, Pakistan has witnessed over 1,000 terrorist attacks in its western provinces, resulting in the deaths of around 700 security personnel and nearly 2,500 civilians.
He further emphasized that despite limited intelligence resources, Pakistan is actively and aggressively confronting terrorist elements—thereby becoming a key player in America’s counter-terrorism network.
But this sudden praise for Pakistan raises a bigger question: Is the United States once again placing its trust in the same country that once harbored the world’s most wanted terrorist?
The Ghost of Osama Bin Laden
It wasn’t too long ago that the U.S. was left stunned when its Navy SEALs found and killed Osama bin Laden in the garrison town of Abbottabad, just a stone’s throw away from Pakistan’s military academy. For years, Pakistan denied knowledge of bin Laden’s presence on its soil, leading many U.S. officials to question whether the country was secretly sheltering terrorists while publicly calling itself an ally in the War on Terror.
The memory of that betrayal still lingers. Yet, a decade later, America seems to be extending an olive branch again—this time in the form of military cooperation and diplomatic engagements.
A Warm Welcome for Pakistan’s Military Chief
Adding fuel to the fire is the invitation extended to Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to visit Washington D.C. on June 14th. The occasion? The 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. While such gestures are often symbolic, in this case, it is being interpreted as a significant shift in America’s approach toward Pakistan.
Is this a signal that the U.S. sees Pakistan as a renewed strategic partner in South Asia, especially amidst rising tensions with Iran, a volatile Afghanistan, and the growing influence of China?
Or is it a short-sighted move that ignores Pakistan’s long-standing ties to terror networks such as the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and various factions of the Taliban?
Strategic Necessity or Strategic Blunder?
From a geopolitical standpoint, Pakistan holds undeniable importance—bordering China, Iran, India, and Afghanistan. Its role in regional stability, or chaos, cannot be underestimated. For the U.S., it remains a crucial player in intelligence-sharing, drone operations, and managing extremism near the Afghan border.
However, critics argue that America’s recurring trust in Pakistan has often backfired. Billions of dollars in aid over the past two decades have yielded little in terms of long-term peace or elimination of extremist ideology from the region. If anything, Pakistan’s dual-play—being both the firefighter and the arsonist—has only made matters worse.
The Bigger Picture
In the age of global counter-terrorism, strategic alliances are necessary. But they cannot come at the cost of selective memory. The world must ask—can a state be called a trusted partner if its soil continues to breed the very forces we’re all fighting against?
America may see Pakistan as a partner of necessity, but history reminds us that convenience often comes with consequences.
While the U.S. may believe it’s betting on the right horse this time, it must tread carefully. Because in the world of geopolitics, especially when terror is involved, trust is a currency that’s expensive—and often irreversible.