When the last American troops left Kabul on August 30th, it signaled the end of not only a 20-year campaign in Afghanistan, but also of Western reliance on neighboring Pakistan.
At the time, the country had been a vexing partner, assisting NATO forces with logistics and intelligence while also providing a safe haven for the Ta!iban’s leaders. Now, America may be able to wash its hands and walk away.
There are numerous grounds for the United States and its allies to be enraged. Pakistan is always at odds with its neighbor, India, which is rapidly establishing itself as a key regional partner for the West. It maintains close political and commercial connections with China, providing access to the Indian Ocean via the Karakoram highway and Gwadar port. There are a number of Muslim fanatics who live there.
Pakistan may appear to be a smart country to avoid, with a GDP per capita that is just two-thirds that of India and that has been declining in recent years.
However, the West must be realistic about the types of collaboration that are and are not conceivable. Realists recognize that Pakistan will never do many of the things that its Western allies desire. Regardless of its issues, Pakistan is in a position to offer the West something.
