DID Press: Pakistan’s The Nation newspaper says the United States continues to wield significant influence over developments in Afghanistan despite its military withdrawal, arguing that Washington retains leverage through financial, diplomatic, and institutional mechanisms.
In a recent analysis, The Nation wrote that the United States remains capable of influencing the Taliban’s behavior and constraining the activities of regional militant groups through financial tools, diplomatic engagement, and international mechanisms.
The newspaper described the fourth round of US–Pakistan counterterrorism talks as a positive development, saying the identification of groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Islamic State – Khorasan Province as shared security threats could strengthen bilateral security cooperation. According to the article, Pakistan has long argued that these organizations represent not only a domestic challenge but also a broader regional security threat requiring coordinated international action.
The analysis further states that Washington continues to play an important role in shaping the international response to security threats originating from Afghanistan, noting that many global counterterrorism mechanisms—including sanctions, financial restrictions, and intelligence cooperation—operate under strong US leadership.
The Nation argues that Islamabad should use its renewed engagement with Washington to increase diplomatic and financial pressure on what it described as “supporters of terrorism” targeting Pakistan. It also contends that closer cooperation with the United States does not require Pakistan to distance itself from China, suggesting Islamabad can maintain its strategic partnership with Beijing while expanding cooperation with Washington on counterterrorism and regional stability.
The article concludes that stronger US–Pakistan economic and trade ties could provide a durable foundation for continued security cooperation, arguing that both countries share common interests in addressing regional security threats and should translate those interests into practical action against militant networks.