The intervention of the United States of America (USA) in South Asia dates back to cold war era, the era in which both USA and USSR – former Russia – were trying to expand their respective spheres of influence in the world. In 1979, the equilibrium was disturbed when USSR invaded Afghanistan to occupy route to warm waters. The USA responded with a grand strategy and utilized Pakistan for its imperialistic and hegemonic designs.
Succinctly putting, do more policy of USA is nothing except a façade to retain its own hegemony in South Asia by creating a situation of chaos there
Though Pakistan was over all a weaker state at that time, it was the strongest state in the region based on its geo-political location; a state that could even end an ever-escalating cold war. In line with the grand strategy, groups of “Radioactive Mujahideen” were established in South Asia – Pakistan and Afghanistan. The whole plan was executed with the de facto key player, Pakistan. As a result, USSR was not only expelled from Afghanistan but was also disintegrated and a comma was put on the cold war.
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In the decade following USSR’s dissolution, USA remembered that radioactive waste (Mujahideen after Aghan war) was as much dangerous as the radioactive elements (Mujahideen during Afghan war). It also realized that China would be its next competitor. Nuclear tests by Pakistan were also a source of concern for it. So it came up with a great grand strategy that was multi-pronged and aimed to retain its hegemony in the region for a long time.
The USA is presenting Muslims as terrorists, dividing them at the same time. On the other hand, it is trying to contain the peaceful rise of Chinese civilization
This policy of USA is based on its repeated do more command to Pakistan. The do more policy of USA reflects that terrorists exist in Pakistan and they are a source of threat to the whole world especially to the USA, India, and Afghanistan. This policy makes sure that Indo-Pak relations are always strained helping the USA to use both countries separately for its own interests.
The USA assured India that Pakistan has harbored terrorists that are a threat to her. By putting pressure of doing more on Pakistan, USA shows its sympathy to India and in turn uses it as a tool against China whose rise is a threat to American worldwide hegemony. Using India as its sidekick, USA wants to keep a check on China. Indian tool also keeps her engaged and worried at the same time. China and India have already fought a war in 1962.
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The rest comprises 7 major civilizations out of which only two, Muslim and Chinese, and dangerous for the West. So the West, led by the USA, is at a hybrid war against these two civilizations
American support to India thus destabilizes the balance of power and balance of terror between the two. Indo-Pak disputed relationship is also a source of earning for arms manufacturing industry of USA. In the arms race, both countries are customers of USA thus helping its GDP grow.
According to a report published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), USA is leading global arms exporter. It also divulged that global arms trade in 2001, before the war against terrorism and do more policy, was just $19 billion, but it grew to $31 billion in 2016. Out of this, American share is $9.9 billion.
Also, among top ten global arms producing and military services providing companies, seven belong to the USA. Thus a warring South Asia is beneficial for US economy. It also ensures her presence in the region.
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At one hand, its arms and financial aids reach terrorists; no matter through whichever way, their roots are always linked to the USA in the end
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is the flagship project of China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, is also a source of concern for the USA. Gwadar port is the heart and soul of CPEC. From here, China would be able to control all marine traffic flowing through Strait of Hormuz. Through this strait, almost 40% of global petroleum passes, including Chinese share that reaches its ports after passing through the South China Sea. As there exists dispute in the South China Sea, Chinese trade could be choked at any time. Due to this trouble, China is establishing a new and shorter trade route through Pakistan.
It starts from Gwadar port. The USA, after having China surrounded at the South China Sea in the east, is trying to encircle it in the west as well thus ensuring its hegemony in the region at the expense of Chinese economy. Another dimension of American do more policy is playing on both sides, that is on side of countries as well as terrorists.
At one hand, its arms and financial aids reach terrorists; no matter through whichever way, their roots are always linked to the USA in the end. On the other hand, it compels countries to fight against terrorism, thus selling its arms to them as well. This state of chaos, for the whole world except the USA, helps retain American hegemony throughout the region.
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China and India have already fought a war in 1962. American support to India thus destabilizes the balance of power and balance of terror between the two
Yet another, but not the last prong of American policy could be viewed through the theory of Clash of Civilizations which was presented by Samuel P. Huntington in 1996. It predicted about wars based on civilizations. Today, a war seems to have started between the west and the rest. The rest comprises 7 major civilizations out of which only two, Muslim and Chinese, are dangerous for the West. So the West, led by the USA, is at a hybrid war against these two civilizations.
The USA is presenting Muslims as terrorists, dividing them at the same time. On the other hand, it is trying to contain the peaceful rise of Chinese civilization. Thus the drama of creating terrorism and apparently fighting against it is just to make the region volatile and to make both the civilizations weaker.
Succinctly putting, do more policy of USA is nothing except a façade to retain its own hegemony in South Asia by creating a situation of chaos there.
Engr. Bilal Awaisi is an electrical engineer. He has a keen interest in International Relations. He writes for different Journals. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy.