BlogWatch

Pakistan may have reopened NATO supply routes, but a lot still needs to be done to mend relations with the US after a rollercoaster year for the two cautious allies. Pakistan's angry response following the deadly NATO attack in November 2011 and an increasingly provocative US attitude have both proved detrimental and have lead to a situation in which the road ahead is rather blurry. Regional neighbors, including India, are now closely monitoring the ongoing Republican nomination campaign. With developments in Iran, China's statements in favor of Pakistan, security in India, future US policy concerning the South Asian region and, in particular, Pakistan, this could prove to be a make or break scenario in many regards.

In his blog for a Pakistan daily, Michael Kugelman, the South Asia associate at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC, highlights the all out aggression exhibited by the majority of the Republican candidates. Leading the race up until now, Mitt Romney earlier proclaimed, "We need to bring Pakistan into the 21st century, or the 20th century for that matter." Romney is reported to have ridiculed Pakistan in various ways, also citing concerns over the country's military affairs. Well, the big question, according to Kugelman, is whether Pakistan should be worried about a Republican making it to the White House. The answer, according to Kugelman, is no. He believes the Republicans are still a long way away from defeating President Barack Obama. The writer also suggests that the remarks made by Republicans against Pakistan are somewhat premature and that this is the usual modus operandi by the right-wing of American politics: first fanning the flames over contentious issues and later succumbing to realities.

Another essential observation made by Kugelman is that remarks by Republicans reflect the extent of anti-Pakistan sentiment in American. According to Kugelman, US public support for Pakistan is at an all-time low and a recent poll suggests that two-thirds of Americans want to end all aid to Islamabad.

Huma Imtiaz from the southern city of Karachi, in her video blog for a daily local, points towards the importance of Pakistan-US relations for regional and financial issues. Of particular importance is the gas pipeline project through Pakistan, Iran and India which could benefit Pakistan tremendously. If the US distanced itself from Pakistan, it could pursue the project to overcome its energy crisis issues.

The situation is also being closely monitored in India, which has always been wary of extremist elements in Pakistan. A blog posted in the online edition of the Hindustan Times points out the failure of President Obama in resolving a number of key international issues, consequently suggesting a greater likelihood of a Republican victory in the next election. The writer believes that India must be prepared for any activity or development along its borders and that, in this regard, US policy is essential.

According to the blog in the Hindustan Times, India also has regional and financial interests at stake. As the blogger puts it, "India sits bang in the middle of the world's energy basket in West Asia and one of the world's most industrialised regions, East Asia." India's aspiration in this regard is to be recognized as a regional leader. With China as a competitor, India will require influence and support. The blogger believes that the Republicans are most likely to give India the assistance it requires.

All in all, recent developments in South Asian have made the Republican primaries fairly interesting to analysts and bloggers in the region. Social media platforms are overflowing with comments and tweets in the wake any relevant developments and this will likely continue as speculation over possible conflicts, military operations, sanctions, trade and regional relations keeps rolling in.

Author: Mohammad Aasim Saleem
Editor: Darren Mara