Likely New Leader of Pakistan Could Jeopardize Peace Talks

Imran Khan

Imran Khan was a star cricketer who most likely be the next Prime minister of Pakistan. If Khan becomes the leader of Pakistan then peace talks could become a lot more difficult. In the past, Khan supported the 17 year conflict in Afghanistan and also accused the U.S. for reckless use of drone strikes to kill extremists. He wishes to develop a "mutually beneficial" relationship with United States. The tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan have become greater because the Trump administration have suspended almost all American security aid to Islamabad. Without Pakistan the war in Afghanistan will become much harder because America needs them for supply routes and to create a lasting peace agreement with Afghanistan.If Trump continues to cut off aid to Pakistan and if he declares Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism our relations will worsen.

“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.” -Donald Trump

This was Donald Trumps Tweet about the U.S. helping Pakistan even though the U.S. got nothing out of it. And he also stated that they give shelter to terrorists that the U.S. hunts.

Discussion Questions:
Do you think the U.S should keep refusing aid to Pakistan?
What do you think would happen if Imran Khan becomes Prime Minister?
Will the U.S. and Pakistan relations better or worsen in 1 year?

Sources:New York Times
http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/40560.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/26/world/asia/imran-khan-pakistan-election.html
The Future of US and Pakistan Relations
https://www.dawn.com/news/1380174