How US-China cold war will transform Pakistan

[nahtanbob]

Though I am always up for maintaining a balanced approach by not picking sides and criticize Pakistan joining US camp, leaving USSR pissed, as a result when 71 happened Soviets kept patrolling Seas to make sure US does not join in, the ultimate loser was Pakistan. A lesson to be learned from this so that history does not repeat itself is to make sure Pakistan follows its own interests. I have to admit that due to CPEC and US heavy tilt towards India our stance would be pro China however as they say in International arena there are no permanent friends but only interests.
Having said that if push comes to shove than as stated earlier and for obvious reasons Pakistan will stand with China even if for no other reason than simply because we cannot afford another hostile neighbor and that too a super power. We made this mistake by ignoring USSR who was next door and joining US who had no connection to the region except for using our bases to spy on Soviet Union.

USA offered more money than USSR

 

[IceCold]

USA offered more money than USSR

Even if I take your one liner argument at its face value and believe that it was money that our forefathers were after, still Whatever US offered or for that matter the USSR did not offer was not worth it. We paid the price that no amount of money can bring back. Hence my argument "joining the US camp was a mistake" stands valid.

 

[CrazyZ]

Pakistan first off needs to become stronger economically and become more independently powerful before thinking about global cold wars. China is an all weather friend. USA has been an ally on some occasions. Looking at geography, it makes more sense for Pakistan to align with a China led Eurasion bloc. USA will remain a relevant but less dominate power that we should maintain good relations with. The juggling act should continue as long as possible.

 

[Enigma SIG]

Pakistani's are emotional people, but unfortunately neither the Chinese nor the Americans really give a damn about Pakistan.
They will engage and sustain the engagement while they profit from the relationship.

"Sour Grapes TM" much? Unfortunately for the US, China cares for Pakistan but doesn't meddle in its internal politics. US cared so much that they bankrolled entire politicians, played puppeteer just because it could. That was US caring enough about Pakistan.

US just wants a sacrificial lamb in one way or the other. Against the USSR, it was Pakistan and against China it would be India.

Hope you love the sour grapes.

 

[k s ahmed]

I wanted to ask this question
This article hasn't actually answered anything
But like someone mentioned in the comments. , We should be taking side of china to tackle India , having a physically closed neighbour , and having a more reliable neighbour
But our "elite" are us booot lickers. Almost a hostage to USA since their children are studying there. So I don't know how that will happen.
Plus , USA will out pressure through Saudi and that will be the key moment. Pakistan. Will have to decide at this moment ,( whijc they will never ) in advance to handle such situation. I been discussing this with my closed ones yesterday.
China seems to be the most likely bet. Suadi is less so. But we shall see

 

[KaiserX]

We can play both sides to our benefit especially economically. Ethnically, religiously, and outlook wise we are still far closer to the US compared to China. If we can use our alliance with China to get the US to invest more then I am all for it!

Why have bad relations with either side when you can always benefit from both!

 

[Imran Khan]

nothing will happen these are wars of words only

 

[dbc]

"Sour Grapes TM" much? Unfortunately for the US, China cares for Pakistan but doesn't meddle in its internal politics. US cared so much that they bankrolled entire politicians, played puppeteer just because it could. That was US caring enough about Pakistan.

US just wants a sacrificial lamb in one way or the other. Against the USSR, it was Pakistan and against China it would be India.

Hope you love the sour grapes.

Yes sour grapes indeed, I can picture Trump and his SoS pining in the White House over losing Pakistan to China like most do over a lost love.

 

[Valar.]

Meh...

What's gonna happened is what always happened - Pakistan is gonna remain primarily in China's camp and secondarily in America's camp and would try to reap benefits from both sides.

 

[CrazyZ]

Pakistan is in such a interesting predicament at the moment. First, It wants to keep good relations with the U.S but understand's China is a neighboring state and is more vital for economic and military/security reasons.

With the U.S probably taking a more anti-china stance than ever before, the U.S wants to build a stronger network of allies to counter and contain china in the region. Encouraging Japan to militarize once more is a strong bulwark against that, using Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea to achieve this goal is something they have been doing already but the U.S hasn't pressured these countries to highly to militarize themselves as they rely on U.S protection. But that is just the West, the U.S shifting focus towards India is a major step at isolating China from American consumerism. The biggest customer for China are Americans, and exporting the product and manufacturing to India is a way to destroy China's customer base.

Pakistan is an important ally to China and so it will be difficult for the U.S to be able to pull India and Pakistan together against China and their isn't much incentive for Pakistan to do so either. I believe the U.S and China will eventually force Pakistan into taking sides on which relation it would like to expand as the other will inevitably decline. Pakistan is in a tough spot here.

Pakistan is a very minor player in the current USA China tensions which is concentrated in the South China Sea. ASEAN countries will be the front line states in this cold war at this moment. ASEAN is probably more attractive to usa firms looking to source manufacturing out of China. We can keep the juggling act going in my opinion.

"Sour Grapes TM" much? Unfortunately for the US, China cares for Pakistan but doesn't meddle in its internal politics. US cared so much that they bankrolled entire politicians, played puppeteer just because it could. That was US caring enough about Pakistan.

US just wants a sacrificial lamb in one way or the other. Against the USSR, it was Pakistan and against China it would be India.

Hope you love the sour grapes.

Better for Pakistan to be minor ignored military player in the eyes of the USA. Most front line states in the last cold war didn't fare well economically until the USA started to ignore them militarily as hot zones (China, S. Korea, Vietnam, Latin America). The meek inherit the earth. We focus on reforms to make our economy more competitive. Let Philippines or Vietnam be the front line states. I see coups and rebellions in the future for ASEAN.

 

[Enigma SIG]

Yes sour grapes indeed, I can picture Trump and his SoS pining in the White House over losing Pakistan to China like most do over a lost love.

Trump is just another idiot who is distracting from what the deep state does. Like I said, Sour Grapes; enjoy!

 

[Hassan Guy]

Democratic Pakistan:
Full of corruption, dead-a$$ economy, illegal activity, No social justice or welfare

Authoritarian Pakistan:
Full of corruption, dead-a$$ economy, illegal activity, No social justice or welfare

 

[nahtanbob]

Even if I take your one liner argument at its face value and believe that it was money that our forefathers were after, still Whatever US offered or for that matter the USSR did not offer was not worth it. We paid the price that no amount of money can bring back. Hence my argument "joining the US camp was a mistake" stands valid.

First it is not like anyone put a gun to your head ... there is a reason your leaders act certain ways towards certain countries - China, USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran. let us not pretend otherwise

Second why do you think current leaders of Pakistan are any different than the leadership during the Cold War ?

 

[CrazyZ]

Democratic Pakistan:
Full of corruption, dead-a$$ economy, illegal activity, No social justice or welfare

Authoritarian Pakistan:
Full of corruption, dead-a$$ economy, illegal activity, No social justice or welfare

View attachment 633756

Pakistan did very well when Ayub Khan was in power. Check your history.

 

[IceCold]

First it is not like anyone put a gun to your head ... there is a reason your leaders act certain ways towards certain countries - China, USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran. let us not pretend otherwise

Second why do you think current leaders of Pakistan are any different than the leadership during the Cold War ?

Whether there was a gun to our heads or not is a moot point at this time since it already history. Secondly it does not depend upon the leaders of today but the dynamics of the region. And to be honest we are doing a fair job specially since PTI came to power. It has called upon China to renegotiate contracts, it has improved relations with the US, seems like we are doing alright.