The writer, a native of South Waziristan, has a master’s degree in conflict resolution from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California and blogs at http://coffeeshopdiplomat.wordpress.com/
During his Senate hearing, Kerry stated that “American foreign policy is not defined by drones and deployments alone”. He has always been considered a friend of Pakistan and has been deeply involved in the US morass in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He is familiar with the issues afflicting the region and played a key role in pushing through the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid package to Pakistan. The US has utilised Kerry’s skills numerous times to diffuse various crisis situations in Pakistan from the Raymond Davis shootout to the post-Bin Laden raid turmoil. Kerry also had to intervene several times on behalf of the late Richard Holbrooke, special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It has been reported that Holbrooke did not have many friends in the White House and he relied on Kerry to express his views to foreign leaders.
Kerry and Hagel have much in common from being veterans of the Vietnam war to opposing the Iraq war, even though the latter originally voted for the Iraq resolution. During the Senate hearing in response to a question regarding the effectiveness of US aid to Pakistan, Hagel retorted that more terrorists have been killed in Pakistan than anywhere else since 9/11 and this would not have been possible without Pakistan’s cooperation. Hagel added that “security assistance for Pakistan has helped Pakistan press this campaign against the militant and terrorist networks that threaten us all”. He admitted that the relationship between the two countries is challenging but also reaffirmed that they both have the same long-term strategic interests.
Hagel is being criticised by the Republicans who accuse him of being anti-Israel since he stated in 2006, “I’m not an Israeli senator. I’m a United States senator.” This fact should be obvious to all the voters who elect US representatives and not representatives of foreign countries. His statement goes to prove that he will not be bullied by foreign lobbies and that is an excellent sign for Pakistan since its lobby is not near as strong as others.
A third major appointment is that of John Brennan as director of CIA. However, since the CIA operates in the dark, Brennan will continue to have wide discretion over the CIA drone strikes in Pakistan. Setting aside the secretive CIA, both Kerry and Hagel appointments are pieces of good news and will entail a more pragmatic approach towards US foreign policy in the future.
Kerry and Hagel, having uniformed experience, understand the complexities of conflict and empathise with those involved. It is precisely this quality that President Obama believes will make these two the perfect men at this moment, as the US seeks to disengage from its lengthy, expensive and bloody wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This reshuffle at the top presents an opportunity for Pakistan to reconnect with the US and effectively prepare for the post-2014 scenario in the region. Faced with the likelihood of increased violence in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of international troops, Pakistan and the US will benefit from close cooperation in their efforts to bring stability in the region.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (43)
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@Shahid: If Pakistan stops its double-crossing practice, the world will start to look at it more positively. Tell me, who trusts what Pakistan says today?
I suppose the question might boil down to whether someone who has more knowledge of Pakistan is likely to be a friend of foe. I would argue that Obama, Kerry and Hagel have more knowledge of Pakistan than any prior American administration and yet Obama won't bother meeting with your President or any high ranking Pakistani - that's an ominous sign. The America public and their elected representatives won't forget that OBL was caught hiding out adjacent to Pakistan's Military Academy - it's a game changer that somehow eludes many Pakistani's.
Pakistanis Love America +++++++++++++++++++++ Pew Global, June 2012: “Pakistanis continue to have overwhelmingly negative attitudes toward the United States. Eight-in-ten currently express an unfavorable view of the U.S.”
"74% consider the U.S. an enemy to their country, while just 8% say it is a partner.”
“Roughly four-in-ten believe that American economic and military aid is actually having a negative impact on their country, while only about one-in-ten think the impact is positive.”
John Kerry faces a Mission Impossible.
" Both Kerry and Hagel co-chaired the Pakistan task force at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, which produced a comprehensive report in 2009 " +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Was the report still valid after the tumultuous events of May 2, 2011 at Abbottabad? Ok Just asking:)
@Taurus: You seem to be missing the point. The war effort cost was nearly $ 1 trillion . $83 billion which have already been spent is a pittance. The concern is the sensitive equipment falling onto wrong hands. In any case, you cannot block the port again to take advantage as reverse deployment are already on the way. ( the estimated value of goods is about $45 billion, not $80 B) . Have fun!
In a country where just the loss of a cricket match arouses wild speculation & conspiracy theories, I'm not all that surprised to see this article cause such an uproar. People so set in their fantasy world where Bhutto was somehow killed by her husband and the military is heaping people in mass graves are obviously not capable of handling reality.
The direct quotes from appointees and actual text of their reports must be like a slap in the face to you truth deniers. I don't despise your condition... it's actually so advanced that I pity you doubt that you'll ever recover. Regardless, I wish you the best and hope you somehow get well soon.
@ polpot, @ john B, not my figures buddy, take it up with the State Department, its no secret: $ 83 billion. A lot of tyres my friends. My God, ignorance is a bliss.
@taurus: " try and move $ 83 Billion worth of equipment out of Afghanistan through Pakistan. Be nice now!!!!!" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ok ! I will ask Obama to let you keep the flat tyres and burnt out drones. After all what are friends for?
@Maria: No it doesn't matter. FYI I'm not Indian, but an overseas Pakistani concerned about the image of Pakistan. One mustn't make too many assumptions. The real Indians won't be concerned about these appointments, as they have a strong enough lobby + economic bargaining chips to always have their concerns tended to by the US.
@irfan: I said breakup, not conquering. It is the US policy and not Afghan ambitions. Please read comments again.
@Khattak, borrowed name huh??? Why they will kick the Northern Allinace out is because the Pustuns have not been out of power since recorded history except when you produced that joker Bachai Saka who lasted a couple of months. Secondly, the Pustuns do not recognise the constitution you are using and that is what the war is about. Thirdly, Karzai is considered to be an apology for a Pustun, the Mayor of Kabul, who will run a mile when the Pustuns actually come and the government collapses and lastly my friend how can 21 % rule with an artificial authority provided to them by the US. Sitting in a US lap making faces at others will only give you importance till the US is around, now when they leave, what then???? The writing is on the wall!!!
@taurus: ", try and move $ 83 Billion worth of equipment out of Afghanistan through Pakistan. Be nice now!!!!!"
The equipments are disposable as they are depreciated and payed for from the operational budget. If it were to be moved , the same national logistics will do that, as well. If you can think of this, the people in pentagon can think your thinking also.
@Irfan, what make you assume that Pashtun will kick Northern Alliance for what? It is like saying Sindhis will kick out Punjab from Islamabad. Does it make any since? Afghanistan is a multicultural country & exists for centuries like this. If 64 years old Pakistan(Punjabis, Seraikis, Sinfhis, Baluchis, Pashtuns, Mohajirs etc) can stay as country, what make you think Afghanistan will not..
@ Mika, how about adding some substance to the rhetoric; Afghan taliban conquering Pakistan? Get a life!!! You are quoting from 2008 in 2013. Well here is the latest; US pulling out, hoping it will be orderly and not as messy as Vietnam. Pushtuns will kick the Northern Alliance out within three years, Indians will have their xxxx handed to them like they did in Sri Lanka. And life will be itself in the region, confused, forgotten and volatile.
@ Polpot, try and move $ 83 Billion worth of equipment out of Afghanistan through Pakistan. Be nice now!!!!!
@Maria: Actually lots of us are happy that US has appointed a senator that is perceived as a friend in Pakistan. Actually Kerry believes in strong relationship with India too and strong relationship between India/Pakistan. If Kerry is perceived the same way a year from now in Pakistan, then it is good for all of us.
Obama in his first week of office ordered and approved more drone strikes than Bush in his whole tenure. Obama's handpicked pawns would not dare change or challenge his policy at this late stage of the war. Obama was and still is the supreme commander. It is a normal transition that takes place after one full term and some people resign (not fired) while the others take over. Remember Colin Powell had resigned after Bush's first term? Let us not make a mountain out of a molehill.
Well according to the real policy maker "Zbigniew Brzezinski" instead of front men like Obamas and Kerrys, Afghan Taliban will be used against Pakistan creating a civil war on ethnic lines, in order to split it into smaller states like Yugoslavia.
The problem is Afghan Taliban understand this and Pakistanis national security apparatus knows it as well.
In the summer of 2007, Obama, coached by Zbigniew Brzezinski and other controllers, was the originator of the unilateral US policy of using Predator drones for political assassinations inside Pakistan.
This article fails to look at his 800 pound policy in the room and somehow believe things will return to old normal by uttering choice words by Kerrys and Obamas.
As per the old wise saying, there is no permanent friend or permanent enemy in international politics, there only permanent self-interest.
Kerry played the "good cop" routine in the past, but that does not mean he is going to let Pakistan blackmail the US using the old "only thing standing between the terrorists and Pak nukes is the Pak army", routine..
" Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid package to Pakistan" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Should now be renamed Kerry-Lugar-Berman-Hegel aid package .
" The report stated that Pakistan can be pulled back from the abyss provided it receives the necessary tools and financial aid." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Clearly pulling back Pakistan from the abyss is the responsibility of US , with no role of Pakistan itself.
@Maria: " I hope that the Pakistan US working relationship improves further " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ You mean that the flow of US Dollars is in step with the number of US Flags burnt:)
@Sterry: " Previous Pakistani governments and military leaders let the world use Pakistan so cheaply." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Agree! The price of using Pakistan, must at least keep up with inflation.
'He is a US senator and not an Indian one' too. Sorry hindis, you can have a Shahid Kapura but you are out of Afghanistan. The US are leaving because they have 'won' the war. India is incapable of living in the artificial niche they created and after having led the US up the garden path, will have to vacate.The Afghans will be embroiled in civil war for next few years. Pakistan was never the cause but that's not how the poor fools saw it and kept blaming Pakistan egged on by India. Time for a reappraisal, in walks Kerry and Hagel. After all, insanity is when one continues doing the same thing hoping for a different result. So am I allowed to have a little hope too without upsetting the Indian apple cart???
@Kitch: Hagel will be US Defence Secretary, not Pakistan's Defence Secretary!
....so you continue to support and arm terrorists.....and Kerry will rescue you??
Also it would be interesting if the author had ponted ot which specific policy of Hillary is Kerry expected to overturn?
Pakistan...living in hope...living on hope.
@Alucard: It seems that a lot of Indians are upset about Kerry's appointment; Look at how they are jumping up at this news to say it doesn't matter! That tells me that it does matter! I hope that the Pakistan US working relationship improves further with stability coming to the region. This is obviously the opposite of what Indians want.
Hmmm...looks like orders from above have come, the narrative is now changed to how things are getting better with the US eh?
@Author: "Both Kerry and Hagel co-chaired the Pakistan task force at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, which produced a comprehensive report in 2009 regarding US policy towards Pakistan. The report stated that Pakistan can be pulled back from the abyss provided it receives the necessary tools and financial aid. It called for greater assistance, particularly from the US"
Yes and this exta aid was incorporated in the Kerry Lugar bill which the establishment hated. If you think more aid is coming your way because Kerry is Secretary of State you are in Lala land. The focus in US is on expense reduction. No appetite anywhere for increasing foreign aid to anyone - least of all a country that is not seen by most Americans as areliable ally. Also fyi : Kerry actually voted for the Iraq war contrary to what you believe.
@Kitch: :The Author here, rightly, pointed out that Kerry and Hagel believe helping out Pakistan is in the best interest of both countries."
Obama believes that
drones are an effective way to eliminate terrorists who attack US,
US should withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014,
Afghanistan should have a government elected by all Afghans and while the Afghan Taliban can have a seat at the table they cannot bully and itimidate all Afghans (55% of which are not even Pashtuns and even among the Pashtuns there is no unanimity that Afghan Taliban should lead them - especially the women) as during 1996-2001.
There is a widespread consensus across US in this regard. Regardless of what Kerry or Hagel's persona opinions are, they cannot go against that.
@Sterry: "@Shahid: It would be better if you just admitted your Indian name "
Are you saying an Indian cannot have the name Shahid? Have you heard the name Shahid Kapur (he is a Bollywood filmstar).
@Mirza : As always the voice of reason
@Shahid: That should not be surprising. Every country looks after its own interests first.
Author cites multiple examples and statements from appointees which point to support for Pak. Commenters sitting in mummy daddy basement kick, scream, and call her names because truth doesn't agree with their fragile sensibilities. Nice summary of Hagel and Kerry and what they might mean for Pak.
Im not sure if the us and Pakistan has the same long term strategic interests, as the author has mentioned in the article...
It reads more like a wish list and a sensible one................nothing wrong in that.
We have no permanent allies, we have no permanent enemies, we only have permanent interests. –attributed to Henry John Temple Viscount Lord Palmerston 1784-1865, Foreign Secretary and two-time Prime Minister under Queen Victoria
Kerry-Hagel- Brennan are appointed to safe guard the US interests, not to please PAK and have tea. If PAK cannot have a good relation with Sec. Clinton then PAK cannot expect anything more from Kerry's office, either.
No more free lunch to PAK because Mr. Kerry will be scrutinized more than ever before because of his PAK "uncle" status.
Civilian aid to PAK will continue, regardless of the administration but expecting military aid beyond the minimum in the present climate is not a wise idea. Kerry's office also has a friend in PAK neighborhood with whom PAK interests do not match.
PAK is a minor part on these appointments.
Although the Kerry-Lugar bill was not appreciated a lot in Pakistan, Senator Kerry and Hegel would turn out to be good for US-Pak relations. Them being good for Pakistan doesn't mean they will be bad for India. Americans should minimize their intrusive politics in our belt and India-Pakistan along with Afghanistan can settle their own differences.
@Shahid: It would be better if you just admitted your Indian name but you know that India is the one that still terrorizes an entire region called Kashmir. We also know that every nation takes care of own interests first but if you were to read the article in greater detail you would see that the author is basing her assumptions on past comments and actions of Kerry and Hagel. I agree with her assessment and there is widespread agreement that US Pakistan relations are in much better shape now. It helps that Kerry and Hagel both understand the sacrifices Pakistan made over the past few decades. They are acutely aware that Pakistan played the key role in defeating the Soviets in Afghanistan and in the process became destablised. Although Kerry and Hegel will work for US interests, they understand the key US advantage of Pakistan as a stable ally. No one in Pakistan expects the world to thank it for defeating the Soviets and ending the Cold War. Previous Pakistani governments and military leaders let the world use Pakistan so cheaply.
Oh' Shahid... who's the naive one here? You say Americans are more interested in their own best interest. Well, I have a lesson for you... That can be said about every person and every nation. The Author here, rightly, pointed out that Kerry and Hagel believe helping out Pakistan is in the best interest of both countries. Perhaps you need to take off those black and white goggles and notice the world is actually quite complex.
Read it again, you might just learn something today. I particularly enjoyed Hagel saying he's a US Senator, Not an Israeli puppet. That also bodes well for Pak's hopes.
Unless Pakistan's extreme right wing establishment stops supporting terror groups, it doesn't really matter who is in the white house, pentagon or state department. It doesn't matter if they are hawks, doves, neo-cons, Quakers or pragmatists etc. The problem is with Pakistan, and only it can sort its own problems out. Behave like a responsible, progressive nation and all nations will respect you and want to work with you.
Naieve, to say the least. Kerry and any other American citizen is more interested in their own national interests than the interests of pakistan. Pakistan cannot win over any US citizen unless it stops support to international terrorists.