Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The hand-over of security responsibility of key areas of Afghanistan from the International Security Assistance Force to Afghan security forces is set to begin in July. This rapidly approaching date highlights concerns about Afghan capabilities and the status of regional cooperation.
The 2008 Nuclear Suppliers Group decision to permit civil nuclear trade with India, a country that never joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, undermines the credibility of the nuclear nonproliferation regime.
Pakistan faces a serious energy deficit. While Islamabad is focused on the long-term goal of developing nuclear energy, available electricity could be increased in the short-term by rehabilitating Pakistan’s electricity distribution system and replacing aging turbines.
The debate over the security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is evidence of a growing gulf in trust between Pakistan and the United States. Rebuilding trust may require setting aside the nuclear security debate and working together on building Pakistan’s economy.
The killing of Osama bin Laden has revealed the fragmented nature of the Pakistani government and complicated U.S. negotiations regarding military aide and development assistance.
The dramatic increase in official foreign exchange reserves in developing countries has prompted accusations of protectionism, but developed countries are equally to blame for the recent increase.
With inflation rising in the developing world, advanced countries are bearing the brunt of the post-crisis adjustment—including reestablishing fiscal sanity—with little help from the vibrant emerging economies upon which the world have come to rely.
While al-Qaeda remains a global threat, regional changes and the erosion of government support have left it diminished. It is likely to be replaced by ideas and causes that are more aligned with the realities of the twenty-first century.
Washington should act to end its reliance on the Pakistani security establishment so that it can more effectively promote civilian political and economic development in the country.
To overcome the large trust deficit that exists between Washington and Islamabad, the leadership in both countries must recognize that the strategic interests of their two nations do not always align.