Trump Should Be Wary of Partnering With Pakistan

Despite a recent boost in ties, history shows that Islamabad is a fickle friend in South Asia.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a summit on Gaza in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Oct. 13. October 20, 2025, 2:51 PM Comment icon View Comments ( )

U.S.-Pakistan relations are undergoing a significant shift in President Donald Trump’s second term, which seemed to begin in the spring—shortly after a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir triggered a conflict between India and Pakistan. Trump asserted that he had played a critical role in ending the crisis, and Islamabad lauded his supposed intervention.

Pakistani officials have clearly appealed to Trump’s sensibilities, first with

See Full Page