The United States and Pakistan During Crisis : From the Russian Intervention in Afghanistan to 9/11

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Margaret M. Huffman (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

Michael A. Palmer

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the major influences on the Pakistan-United States relationship in an effort to identify patterns that could help future policymakers. Throughout the relationship various levels of government players -- the president members of Congress diplomats Secretaries of State and other high-ranking members of government agencies -- have shaped American foreign policy toward Pakistan. Occasionally the groups struggled for power amongst themselves for control of America's Pakistan policy. The factors that most affected the relationship were: crises in Afghanistan American aid and arms sales to Pakistan India nuclear proliferation and Pakistan's historic struggle between its military establishment and democratic institutions. The Pakistan-United States relationship has been characterized by periods of amity as well as mutual distrust. Immediately before the first Afghan crisis in 1979 the Pakistan-United States relationship suffered from Pakistan's withdrawal from CENTO arms embargoes and a marked discord between the two governments. The peak of the relationship occurred in 1986. In 1986 Pakistan accepted a generous six-year aid program from the United States the relationship between the heads-of-state was friendly and the Russian troops in Afghanistan were taking heavy losses. This thesis analyzes the deciding factors in the Pakistan-United States relationship since Pakistan's creation while focusing on the periods of crisis in Afghanistan. It also seeks an explanation for the changes from the occasionally strong Pakistan-United States relationship to the weaker periods in the relationship. 

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Date: 2012

Keywords

Military history, Afghanistan, Pakistan

Subjects

Pakistan--Foreign relations--United States--20th century

Pakistan--Foreign relations--United States--21st century

United States--Foreign relations--Pakistan--20th century

United States--Foreign relations--Pakistan--21st century

Pakistan--Foreign relations--Afghanistan--20th century.

Pakistan--Politics and government--1971-1988

Pakistan--Politics and government--1988-

Arms race--Pakistan

Economic assistance, American--Pakistan

Military assistance, American--Pakistan

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