Author: Ejaz Akram
Affiliation: Southwestern University of Politics & Law (Chongqing, China)
Organization/Publisher: Katehon
Date/Place: February 26, 2022/ Russia
Type of Literature: Analysis
Word Count: 1750
Link: https://katehon.com/en/article/imbalance-balance-theory-islamabad
Keywords: Pakistan, US, China, CPEC, Eurasia, Russia, Balance Theory, Non-Alignment, and Diplomacy
Brief:
The author analyzes the enforced confusion in Islamabad as the power center in Pakistan and long-dispensable-ally of the US, a confusion that is a deliberate attempt to seize Pakistan’s turnaround in its foreign affairs. The author, a professor of contemporary politics, has seen and worked with ruling elites in Pakistan and has firsthand experience in how Washington’s interests are well taken care of in Islamabad. Accordingly, he directly points out the US “lynchpins” active in Islamabad to show how Pakistan’s interests are being bulldozed by these soft power mercenaries. Under Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan is posturing to steer out of the western influence, not essentially into the so-called China-influenced bloc but to strike a balance in its foreign policy. Khan has been a vocal critique of American policies in the Middle East and South China. He is leading from the front the verbal attack on the liberal democratic world, calling out its hypocrisy viz a viz different geopolitical situations. The author stresses that there is no need to remain non-aligned when the time has come to join blocs in the international power politics. Following in the footsteps of Khan, the author argues it was a folly for “Pakistan being non-aligned.” “The (…) version of non-alignment is coming from Washington and Washington’s lackeys in the national security apparatus of Islamabad who are peddling this dangerous discourse.” “How can one remain non-aligned with China? From defense to development, diplomatic support, support for Kashmir, support against Indian aggression, support for peace in Afghanistan, are all coming from China.” The author emphasizes that since China and Russia are aligned, it is not possible for Pakistan to remain non-aligned with Russia. The author then asks: “Remember where the jet engines are coming from for your fighter aircrafts? Who will underwrite your access to Central Asia? Who will cooperate with you in Afghanistan to root out ISIS and Daesh?” Today’s Russia is not the USSR, and aligning with Russia is the best thing that Pakistan can do.
By: Riyaz ul Khaliq, CIGA Non-resident Research Associate
