The Crisis in Pakistan–United States Relations: An Analysis of Recent Events

Looking beyond the 2011–12 crisis in the relations between the US and Pakistan, following the November 2011 NATO attack on a Pakistani border post, this article analyses the broader issues at stake between the two states and points out that the real conflict is waged over the future control of Afghanistan. While the Pakistani government tacitly accepts drone strikes carried out by US forces on its territory against tribal guerrillas, it wishes to prevent India, Iran and Russia becoming predominant in Afghanistan following the departure of NATO troops.The author proposes various initiatives that Islamabad could take to bring about a peaceful outcome, acceptable to all main parties.