Comparison of George W. Bush & Barrack Obama Regimes Regarding Pakistan-US Strategic Relations (2001-2017)

Abstract

The main theme of this study is to dig out different aspects for prolonged peace and stability with different administrations of USA towards Pakistan. Since the inception of Pakistan; she has been facing many challenges in shape of India, a hostile neighbor of Pakistan. She has to balance out her capabilities in military, strategic and economic grounds to survive at global and regional arena. Pakistan in dire need to find a global partner who can rescue her in difficult situation but America has betrayed her ambitions on multiple occasions. She has cut down economic and military aid in different eras; they have opposed Pakistan’s nuclear experiments on number of occasions which resulted in imposing Pressler amendment. Pakistan and US relations has seen many ups and downs since 1947. The brutal attack on America by Al-Qaeda brought both countries to make alliance to fight global war against terrorism. President Bush during his administration clearly mentioned that “are you with us or terrorists”. President Musharraf without hesitation joined American war against terrorism. She has supported Bush administration in every aspect to dismantle Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. President Bush was strong believer to use hard power to attain his foreign policy goals and objectives. The sovereignty of Pakistan was badly affected during his administration. When President Barrack Obama became the President of USA he altered the foreign policy of US by applying smart power to achieve his foreign policy goals and objective. During his administration he provided aid both economic and military. The drone attacks were doubled as compared to President Bush administration. He conducted “Operation Neptune Spear” to kill Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, city of Pakistan. The National Security Strategies of both presidents were different while tackling Pakistan. In reply Pakistan faced many challenges in shape of a) economic b) military c) civilian d) infrastructure where she lost 80,000 precious human lives. Terrorism spread to all parts of Pakistan during both Bush and Obama administrations. Realist School of thought has been applied to the theme of the study while data has been evaluated through qualitative paradigm. Hypothesis has been proved along with key finding and recommendations.