Complexities of US-Pakistan Military Cooperation in Afghanistan

Strategic Insights -

Tensions between the US and Pakistan run deep, with longstanding suspicions and mistrust affecting military cooperation in the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. A recent graduation ceremony for Pakistani troops trained by Americans marked a significant effort to repair this fragile relationship, but challenges remain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new training center in Pakistan, built with $23 million in US funding, is designed to handle up to 2,000 soldiers at a time, but currently operates at 6% capacity due to intensified fighting in the border areas.
  • Pakistani commanders restrict US trainers to around 120 Special Operations personnel, fearing being associated with the unpopular US presence.
  • The US is trying to steer the Pakistani Army towards focusing on counterinsurgency efforts against the Taliban and Al Qaeda, rather than solely against India.
  • The Frontier Corps, a 58,000-member paramilitary force, is being trained to become skilled and motivated fighters, with 1,000 scouts completing training since January 2009.
  • The training program is aimed at building confidence in the Frontier Corps scouts, who often have relatives in the Taliban and speak the same language, Pashto.
  • Three basic skills are being built into the training course: shooting, first aid, and providing covering fire for advancing troops.
  • Pakistani Army training on its own, without direct US aid, includes four weeks of "low-intensity conflict" training for all units fighting in the country's tribal belt.
  • Pakistani officers admit that simulation training can only go so far, and real-world combat experience is essential for developing effective troops.

Statistics:

  • $1 billion: The amount the US reimburses Pakistan annually for military operations in the border areas.
  • $10 billion: The amount the US has given to Pakistan toward the cost of deploying 150,000 troops in and around the border areas since 2001.
  • Up to 2,000: The number of soldiers the new training center is designed to handle at a time.
  • 58,000: The number of members in the Frontier Corps paramilitary force.
  • 1,000: The number of scouts who have completed training since January 2009.
  • 6-8%: The capacity at which the training center is currently operating.
  • 20 miles: The distance from the Afghanistan border to the training center.

Sources:

  • The New York Times - BY ERIC SCHMITT AND JANE PERLEZ WARSAK - Date not specified.
  • The United States Army Colonel Kurt Sonntag - Date not specified.
  • The Pakistani Major General Tariq Khan - Date not specified.
  • The Pakistani Colonel Ahsan Raza - Date not specified.
  • The Pakistani Major Shaukat Hayat - Date not specified.
  • The Pakistani Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik - Date not specified.