According to the Washington Post dated 23 December 2016, the U.S. tried to change other countries’ governments 72 times during the Cold War. According to one study, the U.S. performed at least 81 overt and covert known interventions in foreign elections during the period 1946–2000. Another study found that the U.S. engaged in 64 covert and six overt attempts at regime change during the Cold War. After the disintegration of the former USSR, the US emerged as the sole superpower in the unipolar world. Its role in the change of regimens around the globe has intensified exponentially.
The recent victims are:- Iraq, Haiti, Zaire, Former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Syria, Libya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc. There might be many other countries that have not been identified yet. As a matter of fact, in the unipolar world, there was no counter-balancing power to check Americans and the situation became worst. However, with the rise of China, and the revival of Russia, the world is transforming into a multipolar, once again. The US administration might think twice before making any decision to intervene in any other country’s internal affairs.
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How did Pakistan and US relations got deteriorated?
Pakistan was in the American camp for more than seven decades, a close ally during the cold war against the communism threat, a front-line state in the Afghan war against USSR invasion, a non-NATO close ally in its war on terror. Pakistan is the only country that has suffered a heaviest loss due to being a partner with the US in the Afghan war. 80,000 precious human lives were lost, much more than any NATO or ally nation. The estimated economic loss was around US dollars 250 Billion, the social impact was severe, additionally, the menace of terrorism, extremism, intolerance, drugs and gun culture were extra gifts. Yet Pakistan was penalized and imposed the hardest sanctions.
Pakistan was protecting and looking after American interests in this region for almost seven decades. Pakistan ensured that the US achieved all its strategic goals in this region with the help of Pakistan. Since the US kept its distance from Pakistan and put all its priorities on India, the US has been facing one after another failure during the last several years.
It was an American policy shift to focus on India and keep distance from Pakistan unilaterally. The US has been pressurizing from all directions, sometimes through IMF and FATF, sometimes through its friends like Saudi Arabia and UAE. Sometimes, directly threaten dire consequences. Although Pakistan was and is willing to maintain good relations with the US. At least, Pakistan has nothing against America, it cannot be a good friend, at least there is no reason to hate Pakistan, coerce Pakistan, or penalize Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, was educated, brought up and lived in the West and is a moderate Muslim. His understanding of the West should have been utilized to bridge the East and West. He is the only Prime Minister in Pakistan having the highest number of Foreign Nationals, or dual Nationals in his cabinet. Especially, in the key positions in the state, he has appointed very much Pro-west individuals. He is surrounded by American lobbyists around him. Yet, the Americans do not like him, which is beyond understanding. Is his visit to Moscow or abstaining from American motion in the UNSC, or his vision of an independent sovereign state, or any other thing which might have irritated the US?
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Of course, he is sincere and loyal to the nation, which should not be taken against him. He got international attention as a moderate global leader and his efforts for global peace and stability gained momentum.
All these acts should be taken positively, with no justification for punishing him
Any attempt to change the regime in Pakistan by any foreign power is taken very seriously by the Pakistani public. As a nation, Pakistan is full of diversity and enjoys the highest degree of freedom of expression in the whole world. Our media is fully free and the judiciary is independent. It is believed that the people of Pakistan are wise enough to decide on their own leader, any foreign intervention may become counterproductive.
In fact, the graph of his popularity was declining due to poor governance, especially the price hike and enhanced inflation. But, with the foreign conspiracy, his popularity has improved a lot. Political activities are a healthy sign and we encourage the opposition to play a positive role, criticize the wrongdoings of the Government. But, if foreign agendas are being implemented, the nation is united to confront them collectively.
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The next few days are critical in Pakistani politics, the public is urged to think smartly and decide their loyalties to any political party, based on their best judgment. All Political Parties are equally good to support and a healthy completion is good for the country. Even a strong opposition is the beauty of this society. However, it urged them to be loyal to the country and united against any foreign intervention or conspiracy. Each individual is held responsible to judge and decide according to his/ her conscious. Respect the constitution of the country and stay peaceful under all circumstances. Understand your rights and duties and emphasize duties too. Struggle to transform Pakistan into an independent, strong and prosperous nation in the club of the civilized world.
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization). He can be reached at awanzamir@yahoo.com. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space (GVS News).