Kod?ly: Piano Works

In a nuclear-armed subcontinent, Pakistan has emerged in recent years as a major source of instability. For the past decade and more, it has struggled with an under-performing economy and debilitated political institutions. It is not a "failed state," but many of the ingredients of potential state failure are present. Since 9/11, Pakistan has emerged as a key U.S. ally in antiterrorism operations. But at the same time, important terrorist elements, which had been centered in Afghanistan, have moved to Pakistan. The nation is also under pressure following confessions by the founder of its nuclear program of peddling nuclear secrets and blueprints to Iran, Libya, and North Korea. And despite recent hopeful signs, relations with India remain unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

Pursuing antiterrorism operations, reducing the risk of nuclear conflict, and preventing nuclear transfer to other countries are central U.S. objectives in Pakistan, along with combating narcotics trafficking and violent radicalism. And these objectives are intimately connected with internal pressures on Pakistan. This study is intended to help U.S. policymakers and others concerned with one of the world’s most volatile regions understand how Pakistan’s internal dynamics relate to the region’s peace and stability and to identify the tools the United States has to try to influence developments in a constructive way.