Perceptions, Realities and the Changing Dynamics of U.S.-Pakistan Relations by Dr. Saeed Shafqat

Time: Wednesday, August 10 at 3:00 pm. Venue: FedEx Global Education Center, 4^th Floor, UNC-Chapel Hill

U.S.- Pakistan relations are a painfully enduring relationship. Over the decades, these nations have witnessed high and low points several times yet endured and not broken. The ‘terms of endearment’ have undergone changes during each decade. For example, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton described US-Pakistan relations as ‘transactional’ and not based on mutual trust. Some scholars have declared Pakistan an ‘unworthy ally.’ Others have announced the ‘end of illusions’, yet others claim that India-Pakistan has been ‘de-hyphenated’ in the U.S. South Asia strategy and yet India-Pakistan relations remain a major concern for the U.S. Why? To borrow a Chinese expression, this is the ‘New Normal’ in U.S.-Pakistan relations.

Focusing on three dimensions–geo-strategic interests, the global war on terrorism and a changing regional environment–policy makers in the two countries are constantly trying to re-position and adapt on issues of mutual concern. These sensibilities are manifested through the ongoing Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, despite hiccups. Interpreting patterns of ‘high’ and ‘low’ points, Dr. Saeed Shafqat will identify the changing contours and future direction of U.S.-Pakistan relations.

Dr. Saeed Shafqat is Professor & Founding Director at the Centre for Public Policy and Governance, Forman Christian University, Lahore. For Spring 2012, he was Visiting Professor of South Asian Studies at the College of Wooster, Ohio. He has been Quaid-I Azam Distinguished Professor and Chair (March 2001- May 2005) of the Pakistan Center at the School of International Affairs and Public Policy (SIPA), Columbia University and remained Adjunct Professor at SIPA until 2009. As Adjunct Professor at SIPA (2005-2009), Columbia University, Dr. Shafqat taught two online courses: IAU 8615 Globalization and Transformation of Religion and Politics in South Asia, and IAU 8582 Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan: Changing dynamics of religion, politics, security and Great Power Interactions. His research articles on culture, politics, security and various aspects of public policy and governance, demographic change and civil service reform on Pakistan have been published in journals of international repute.  His books include: Political System of Pakistan and Public Policy (1989) Civil- Military Relations in Pakistan (1997), Contemporary Issues in Pakistan Studies (2000, 3rd edition) and New Perspectives on Pakistan: Visions for the Future (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2007). He has also co-authored two Monographs: Saeed Shafqat & Raheem ul Haque, Pakistan, Afghanistan and U.S. Relations: Implications for the Future (Lahore: CPPG, 2011) and Saeed Shafqat & Maheen Saleem Khosa, Electoral Politics and Electoral Violence in 2013 Elections: The Case of Punjab (Lahore: CPPG, 2014)

This event is sponsored by Wake Forest University, North Carolina Central University and the Carolina Asia Center.