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A Relationship Always on Edge
The ties between Pakistan and the United States have never been simple. For decades, Washington and Islamabad have oscillated between close cooperation and deep mistrust. At times, the U.S. has considered Pakistan a crucial ally — particularly during the Cold War, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the post-9/11 “War on Terror.” At other times, Pakistan has been viewed as a double-dealer, simultaneously benefiting from U.S. aid while harboring militant groups that threaten American lives and interests.
Today, Pakistan–U.S. relations appear to be warming once again. In 2025, trade talks, high-level military visits, and investment discussions point to a reset in the partnership. Yet, beneath this surface-level goodwill lies an uneasy truth: history has not disappeared. The Osama bin Laden episode still looms large, and numerous other incidents underscore why Washington must approach Pakistan with caution.
This article examines the recent improvement in ties, places it in the context of a troubled history, and highlights examples that demonstrate why the U.S. should be careful about giving Pakistan too much importance.
The Shadow of Osama bin Laden
The killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in May 2011 remains one of the most defining moments in U.S.–Pakistan relations. The world’s most wanted terrorist was found living just a short distance from Pakistan’s premier military academy.
While Pakistan’s government claimed ignorance and launched its own Abbottabad Commission to investigate, many American officials never accepted the explanation. Unofficially, it is widely believed that elements within Pakistan’s security establishment either knew of bin Laden’s presence or deliberately chose not to act.
For the United States, the episode was a humiliation. It exposed not only Pakistan’s unreliability as a partner in the War on Terror but also raised suspicions about its willingness to fight extremism when those extremists had strategic value against India or in Afghanistan.
The Abbottabad raid severely damaged bilateral trust. Aid was cut, military cooperation scaled back, and public opinion in both countries soured. Yet today, Washington appears eager to overlook that episode in the interest of securing Pakistan’s cooperation on trade, minerals, and regional stability.
But the question remains: can the U.S. truly trust a country where Osama bin Laden found refuge for nearly a decade?
Historical Examples of Double-Dealing
The Osama bin Laden case was not an isolated example of Pakistan’s troubling behavior. A look at the history of Pakistan–U.S. relations shows a repeated pattern of duplicity.
1. The Afghan Jihad of the 1980s
During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan served as a frontline state for U.S. operations. Billions in American weapons and aid were funneled through Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to Afghan mujahideen fighters.
While this partnership contributed to the Soviet defeat, it also sowed the seeds of global terrorism. Pakistan selectively supported extremist factions that later evolved into the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In other words, the very groups that America fought after 9/11 were empowered during this era, with Pakistan’s active involvement.
2. The Taliban’s Rise in the 1990s
Following the Soviet withdrawal, Pakistan backed the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Islamabad viewed the Taliban as a force that could stabilize Afghanistan under Pakistan’s influence, while denying India a foothold.
The U.S. largely turned a blind eye at first, but the Taliban’s brutal regime and its harboring of al-Qaeda would eventually lead to the 9/11 attacks. Pakistan’s role in nurturing the Taliban cannot be separated from the tragedy that followed.
3. The Kargil War (1999)
In 1999, while Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in Washington meeting with President Bill Clinton, Pakistan’s military secretly launched an operation in the Kargil region of Kashmir, sparking a war with India. The duplicity stunned U.S. officials, who realized that even as civilian leaders sought American support, Pakistan’s military was pursuing reckless adventurism.
4. The Haqqani Network
Throughout the War on Terror, the U.S. repeatedly accused Pakistan of harboring the Haqqani Network — a militant group responsible for deadly attacks on American soldiers in Afghanistan. Despite billions in aid, Pakistan refused to dismantle the network, arguing instead that it had limited control.
American commanders often said they were “fighting the enemy while their supposed ally gave that enemy safe haven.”
5. Proliferation of Nuclear Technology
Pakistan’s nuclear scientist, A.Q. Khan, ran a proliferation network that supplied sensitive nuclear technology to countries like North Korea, Iran, and Libya. While officially described as a “rogue operation,” it is hard to believe such a network could operate without at least tacit approval. This proliferation directly undermined U.S. nonproliferation goals.
The Current Reset: Why It’s Happening
Despite this troubling history, relations are improving in 2025. Several factors explain the reset:
- Trade and Investment: Pakistan’s economy is struggling, and U.S. investors see opportunity in energy, minerals, and manufacturing. Washington is pursuing lower tariffs and joint projects.
- Critical Minerals: The U.S. wants access to Pakistan’s reserves of rare earths and other critical minerals to reduce dependence on China.
- Afghanistan Stability: With the Taliban still in power and extremist threats persisting, Pakistan remains a key player in shaping events across its border.
- Geopolitical Rivalry with China: The U.S. sees engaging Pakistan as one way to limit Beijing’s growing influence in South Asia.
These reasons make sense strategically. But the concern is whether the U.S. is prioritizing short-term gains over long-term lessons.
Why the U.S. Should Be Cautious
Even as Washington courts Islamabad again, several risks are clear.
1. A History of Betrayal
From Osama bin Laden to the Haqqani Network, Pakistan has repeatedly acted against U.S. interests while accepting American aid. There is little evidence that this behavior has fundamentally changed.
2. Deep Ties with China
Pakistan’s all-weather friendship with China complicates U.S. engagement. The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is central to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. While Pakistan may welcome U.S. investment, it is unlikely to sever or weaken its strategic bond with China.
3. Domestic Instability
Pakistan’s politics are highly volatile. Military coups, weak civilian governments, and powerful religious movements make it difficult to guarantee stability. A U.S. partnership risks being undermined by sudden political shifts.
4. Support for Extremist Proxies
Pakistan has long viewed militant groups as useful tools in its rivalry with India. There is no guarantee that Islamabad has abandoned this strategy, especially in Kashmir.
5. Risk of Nuclear Escalation
Pakistan’s rapidly growing nuclear arsenal and its history of risky military behavior raise serious concerns. Any instability could have global consequences.
Recent Examples That Raise Red Flags
Even in recent years, Pakistan’s actions give cause for skepticism:
- Harboring Extremists: Despite promises, Pakistan has failed to dismantle groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
- Taliban Influence: Pakistan maintains deep connections with the Taliban government in Kabul, limiting U.S. leverage in Afghanistan.
- Economic Mismanagement: Despite repeated IMF bailouts and aid packages, Pakistan has struggled to reform its economy. U.S. assistance risks being wasted without accountability.
- Anti-American Sentiment: Public opinion in Pakistan remains largely hostile to the U.S., raising questions about how sustainable any partnership truly is.
Conclusion: Proceed with Caution
Pakistan–U.S. relations are once again in the spotlight. Economic deals, military visits, and diplomatic gestures suggest a new era of cooperation. Yet, the past cannot be ignored. From sheltering Osama bin Laden to supporting extremist networks and proliferating nuclear technology, Pakistan has repeatedly undermined American interests.
While engaging Pakistan may serve short-term goals, Washington must not forget the lessons of history. Any renewed partnership should be built on strict accountability, clear conditions, and measurable results. Without that, the U.S. risks repeating the cycle of misplaced trust and eventual betrayal.
The goodwill may be real, but it should not blind policymakers to the hard truths of Pakistan’s record.
Disclaimer: This article is an independent analysis and opinion piece based on publicly available reports, historical records, and commentary from policy experts. It does not make direct allegations against any individual or institution. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be taken as definitive legal or factual claims.
