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5/30/11

Pakistan: in search of new friends? - by Clare Castillejo

Bin Laden’s killing has not only altered the security context within Pakistan, it is also reshaping the country’s international alliances. On a recent visit to China, Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani praised China as Pakistan’s “best friend” and agreed a range of economic and military deals with Chinese counterparts. These include for China to provide 50 fighter jets, two nuclear reactors and a naval base to Pakistan. Neither Washington nor New Delhi will be happy at such developments.

And what about Europe? Despite the fact that Pakistan’s stability is critical for Europe’s security and that the EU is Pakistan’s most important trading partner, the European Union lacks an effective strategy on Pakistan. The EU should be part of a multilateral response to Pakistan’s crisis. It could counterbalance US and Chinese military aid, supporting a civilian response to the insurgency and offering incentives for reform. However, as Pakistan searches for new friends, Europe remains conspicuously absent.

Note EU-Digest: Pakistan presently is a powder keg and the EU does best to keep its distance. It is also not critical to Europe's security, unless it becomes a rogue state and the control of its nuclear arms becomes questionable. In that case, however, the US will certainly be the first to take  "corrective" action before Europe gets involved.

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