There is a particular language to power, often spoken not in grand treaties but in seemingly offhand remarks, in the calculated informality of a nickname, or in the warmth of an unexpected compliment. When a former and would-be future American president, Donald Trump, recently referred to Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, as his “favorite field marshal,” it was more than just a curious piece of diplomatic flattery. It was, as analyst Fareed Zakaria has suggested, a signal flare illuminating a discernible and significant shift in the turbulent waters of US foreign policy. This is not merely a change of tone; it is a recalibration of strategic calculus, one that speaks volumes about the new anxieties defining Washington’s view of the world.
For decades, the American posture towards South Asia was often described as a balancing act, but one perpetually tilted. The Cold War alliance with Pakistan gave way to a post-9/1 partnership of necessity, often fraught with mutual suspicion. More recently, the strategic embrace of India as a democratic counterweight to China became a rare point of bipartisan consensus in Washington. The images of Mr. Trump alongside India’s Narendra Modi, in front of vast crowds, seemed to cement this new axis. Yet, international relations are not static; they are a river, constantly eroding old banks and carving new channels. The recent warming towards Pakistan, and specifically towards its powerful military leadership, suggests the river is changing course once more.
The reasons for this are as pragmatic as they are profound. The American withdrawal from Afghanistan left a vacuum that continues to generate instability, and Washington has not forgotten Pakistan’s influence in the region. Furthermore, the relentless rise of China presents a challenge far more complex than a simple face-off. In this new Great Game, assets are being reassessed. Pakistan, with its strategic location, its large population, and its capable military, is being viewed anew not just as a problem to be managed, but as a potential partner to be engaged. The “favorite field marshal” comment, for all its unconventionality, is the personalization of this reassessment. It is an attempt to build a bridge, not to the civilian government in Islamabad, which has often been seen as transient, but to the country’s most enduring institution – its army.
This diplomatic courtship is being cemented with tangible economic threads. The signing of a tariff agreement in July and the talks over cooperation on Pakistani oil reserves are not accidental. They are the concrete pillars upon which a new relationship can be built. Economics has long been the unspoken language of American power, and these initiatives are designed to offer Pakistan something it desperately needs: a pathway to economic stability and a reduced dependence on others. The underlying message from Washington is clear: alignment has its rewards. This is a classic American playbook, updated for an era of multipolar competition.
The implications of this shift ripple far beyond the bilateral relationship. One must look to the deserts of Saudi Arabia to see the full picture. The recent defence pact between Riyadh and Islamabad did not occur in a vacuum. It is widely understood that the kingdom, a traditional ally of Pakistan, values the professionalism and strength of its military. That the US now appears to be echoing this sentiment is telling. It suggests a convergence of interests, a shared view that a strong, engaged Pakistan is a stabilizing force, or at least a necessary ally, in a volatile region. This is not the sentimental partnership of old; it is a hard-nosed alignment born of shared strategic concerns.
Yet, for all the high-level flattery and economic MoUs, the path ahead is strewn with complications. The United States is attempting a delicate dance, seeking to strengthen ties with Pakistan without severing its vital strategic partnership with India. Delhi will be watching this new warmth with deep unease, interpreting it as a potential undermining of its own position and Washington’s commitment to countering Chinese influence. The US administration, should Mr. Trump return to power, would have to perform a masterclass in diplomatic dexterity to assure India that this is not a zero-sum game, while simultaneously convincing Pakistan that its overtures are sincere and lasting.
Moreover, the very nature of this outreach—so focused on the military establishment—raises long-term questions about America’s commitment to democratic principles in the region. It is a reminder that when strategic interests are deemed paramount, other considerations can quickly recede into the background.
Ultimately, the warming of relations between the United States and Pakistan is a story about a world in flux. The old certainties are dissolving, replaced by a more complex, multipolar landscape where today’s rival can be tomorrow’s partner. President Trump’s cosy remark about a field marshal is a small but significant piece of this larger mosaic. It is a testament to Pakistan’s enduring geopolitical weight and a signal that in the face of new global challenges, the United States is willing to revisit old scripts and recast old roles. The embrace is warming, but it remains a tangled one, fraught with history, complicated by other alliances, and uncertain of its final destination. In the high-stakes theatre of international politics, the curtain is rising on a new, unpredictable act.
