Common Interests of the United States and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Southwest Asia.
Abstract
Southwest Asia is predominantly a Muslim region and is the birthplace of the world's major religions. Its strategic location and petroleum resources make it important and attractive to the major powers. The U.S. has vital interests in Southwest Asia, and Europe and Japan depend on oil from the region. In the 1950's and 1960's, Pakistan was a close ally of the U.S. and played a key role in containing communism in the region. Pakistan has once again become important to the U.S. after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. The U.S. needs the support of states in the region to counter Russian advances in Southwest Asia. This research focuses on finding common interests which could become the basis of an alliance between Pakistan and the U.S. in Southwest Asia. Despite differences, both countries do have common interests in the region, for which al alliance with each other could be beneficial. Any alliance should be established on well defined mutual interests, appreciating each other's differences and limitations, so that subsequent frustrations emerging from ambiguities can be avoided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA174616
Entities
People
- Maqbool A. Ranjha
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology