Trump's cabinet picks put Pakistan on toes

Govt trying to formulate a strategy based on incoming president's choices for key posts

ISLAMABAD:

President-elect Donald Trump is finalizing his cabinet but several of his picks so far have shaken many in the US and across the world.

Pakistan may no longer be a priority for the US foreign policy but the policymakers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are keeping a close eye on some of the nominations for the key ministerial slots in the Trump administration.

The mercurial incoming president has already named his secretary of state, defense, national security adviser and CIA chief, positions that matter for the world including Pakistan.

Given there is an element of unpredictability associated with the new dispensation in Washington, people in the power corridors here are trying to formulate a strategy based on Trump's choices for key positions.

The newly elected president has included prominent figures like Elon Musk, the owner of X, and Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, in his cabinet.

But what worries Pakistan the most is the inclusion of a number of individuals in the Trump administration, which have previously made headlines for their statements on Pakistan and India.

For the critical position of secretary of state, Trump has nominated Senator Marco Rubio, who has been a critic of Trump in the past but is regarded as an expert in foreign policy.

In July this year, Senator Rubio made headlines when he introduced a bill in the US Senate that supported India and opposed Pakistan.

The bill was named the US-India Defense Cooperation Act, aimed at strengthening the defense partnership between the two nations to counter China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The bill proposed providing India with security assistance, considering its threats, alongside collaboration in defense, civil space, technology, and economic investments. It also suggested treating India on par with allies like Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO regarding technology transfers.

Pakistan was also mentioned in the bill, which called for a report to Congress on Pakistan's alleged use of terrorism and proxy groups against India. The bill stated that if Pakistan was found involved in sponsoring terrorism against India, it should not be provided with any security assistance.

Rubio is also a known critic of Iran and China while he staunchly backed Israeli actions in Gaza.

Trump picked Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, a key figure in the US administration that matters for Pakistan. Like Rubio, Waltz does not have any positive perspective about Pakistan.

Waltz has been advocating for putting pressure on Pakistan to do more to eradicate alleged cross border terrorism. He has served in the US military and has been deployed multiple times to Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa.

Another pick of Trump for the key position for the director of the US National Intelligence may also not augur well for Pakistan. Tulsi Gabbard, a former democrat, will head the National intelligence, which oversees 18 security agencies of the US.

During the military standoff between Pakistan and India in February 2019 over Balakot attacks, Tulsi supported New Delhi and asked Islamabad to deal with the alleged terror threat. She also accused Pakistan for harboring Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

John Ratcliffe is going to head the CIA. Given the US counter terrorism efforts in the region, the CIA chief is one office that remains in constant contact with Pakistani relevant authorities.

Ratcliffe, who previously served as the director of the National Intelligence during Trump's first term, is known as a hawk on Iran and China.

While these appointments provide some insight into the nature of policies likely to be pursued by the Trump administration, Pakistan is hoping that its ties with the US will not be impacted negatively.

Pakistan has expressed its desire to work with the new administration under Trump.

In what appears to be a calculated policy statement, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir last week made it clear that Pakistan would not join any bloc and instead would support efforts for peace in the world.

Observers interpret the army chief's statement as directed at the Trump Administration, communicating Pakistan's desire to have a mutually beneficial relationship with Washington.

The government has already decided to reach out to Trump's transition team in order to establish early contacts with the incoming administration.