In this insightful presentation by Amir Jahangir. He presents a comprehensive analysis of the US Country Strategy document for Pakistan. The presentation points out towards the US desire to limit Pakistan’s military capabilities. The presentation highlights the document's significant departure from traditional security priorities, emphasizing non-traditional issues like climate change, global health, and economic stability. The presentation underscores the document's focus on democracy, human rights, gender diversity, and the re-engagement of Pakistan with India. Notably, the presentation pointed out the strategic shift in considering Pakistan as part of the Middle East and Near Asia (MENA) region, as reflected in both US policy documents and international institutions. This analytical presentation provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of US-Pakistan relations and the recalibration of priorities in the MENAP context.

1. Dissecting the US Integrated Country Strategy
for Pakistan in the Regional Context.
Amir Jahangir PICSS Roundtable Conference
13 December 2023 Islamabad

3. Unlocking
the Mission:
What's on
Washington’s
Wishlist for
US Envoy in
Pakistan?
Amir Jahangir
PICSS Roundtable Conference,
Islamabad
13 December 2023

5. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ICS_SCA_Pakistan_Public.pdf
The US
Integrated
Country
Strategy for
Pakistan was
Approved
and
Launched in
March/April
2022.

6. Introduction
• The US Appointed the Ambassador
to Pakistan on March 1, 2022
• After a gap of 1,280 days –
almost 3 and a half years
• The last Ambassador to Pakistan was
Ambassador David Hale, who served:
21 September 2015 to 29 August 2018
• Pakistan saw three Chargé d'Affaires
ad interim
(August 29, 2018 – May 23, 2022)

7. Revival of a
Relationship
• Ambassador Donald
Armin Blome took charge
on July 1, 2022
• His mandate was to
recalibrate the diplomatic
relationships and develop a
revised integrated country
strategy for Pakistan.

8. Ambassador
Donald Blome

9. Strategy Focus Areas
The original document, dated March 29, 2022, outlines key national
security interests of the United States in Pakistan,
• The overall approach revolves around
 Security, counterterrorism, and
 Governance,
 Rule of law
 Democratic Values
 with a supplementary focus on
economic growth.
 Management objectives included ensuring safe facilities, workforce
diversity and inclusion, and program implementation without host
government harassment.
Strengthen security while
protecting human rights.

10. The
Redesigned
US Integrated
Country
Strategy for
Pakistan, Post
Input from the
Ambassador
(After 1 Year)
Updated:
March/April
2023
Integrated Country Strategy
PAKISTAN
FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Approved: March 29, 2022
Reviewed and Updated: March 16, 2023
https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ICS_SCA_Pakistan_16MAR2023_PUBLIC.pdf

11. Integrated Country Strategy
PAKISTAN
FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Approved: March 29, 2022
Reviewed and Updated: March 16, 2023
https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ICS_SCA_Pakistan_16MAR2023_PUBLIC.pdf
https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ICS_SCA_Pakistan_Public.pdf

12. The Evolving Priorities for the US Ambassador to
Pakistan Set by the US State Dept.
Category Original Document (29 March 2022) New Document (16 March 2023)
Key National
Security Interests
- Counterterrorism, regional peace,
nuclear non-proliferation
- Climate change, global health,
energy, economic stability, and trade
Priorities - Combat terrorism and violent
extremism
- Advance regional stability and security
- Foster economic growth & development
- Strengthen civilian democratic
institutions and protect human rights
- Economic growth and trade
- Climate-friendly energy policy
- Strengthening democratic
institutions and human rights
- Counterterrorism & violent
extremism

13. The Evolving Priorities for the US Ambassador to
Pakistan Set by the US State Dept.
Category Original Document (29 March 2022) New Document (16 March 2023)
Counterterrorism
and Violent
Extremism
- Mitigate the threat of terrorism
- Encourage Pakistan to take action
against militant and terrorist groups
- Focus on the shared responsibility
for action against militant and
terrorist groups
- Encourage Pakistan to enhance
counterterrorism cooperation.
Nuclear Security - Promote strategic stability and deter
destabilizing capabilities and policies.
- Encourage diplomacy with India.
- Maintain nuclear security, promote
strategic stability, and encourage
diplomatic engagement with India.
Strengthening
Civilian
Democratic
Institutions
- Address the under-representation of
women, minorities, and disadvantaged
groups.
- Strengthen democratic practices and
institutions.
- Support efforts to strengthen civil
and human rights of various groups
in Pakistan, including women and
minorities.

14. The Evolving Priorities for the US Ambassador to
Pakistan Set by the US State Dept.
Category Original Document (29 March 2022) New Document (16 March 2023)
Security and
Human Rights
- Strengthen security while protecting
human rights.
- Counter violent extremism and improve
counterterrorism capabilities.
- Emphasize security concerns and the
importance of improving
counterterrorism capabilities.
- Highlight the shared responsibility to
bring terrorists to justice.
Economic Growth - Encourage economic growth, private
sector development, trade, and
investment.
- Focus on economic reforms.
- Promote inclusive economic growth
and a trade relationship based on
fairness, transparency, and
sustainability.
- Encourage economic reforms for
private investment.
Climate-Friendly
Energy Policy
- Not mentioned in the original
document.
- Focus on building a climate-friendly
energy policy that powers economic
growth and addresses climate
challenges.

15. The Evolving Priorities for the US Ambassador to
Pakistan Set by the US State Dept.
Category Original Document (29 March 2022) New Document (16 March 2023)
Democratic
Institutions and
Human Rights
- Strengthen democratic institutions and
political participation
- Address the underrepresentation of
women and minorities
- Continue supporting democratic
institutions, human rights, and
freedom of the press.
- Promote an active civil society.
Management
Objectives
- Safe and secure facilities
- Workforce diversity and inclusion
- Program implementation without host
government harassment
- Safe and secure facilities
- Diverse, inclusive workforce
- Program implementation without
host government harassment
Overall Approach The original document primarily focuses
on security, counterterrorism, and
governance, with some emphasis on
economic growth.
The new document expands the scope
to include a wider range of global
challenges and opportunities, with a
strong emphasis on economic growth
and climate issues.

16. Mission Strategic Framework:
Mission Goal 1: Counter-Terrorism and Reduce Violent Extremism
• Mission Objective 1.1:
Pakistan strengthens its capacity and will to combat terrorist groups,
prevent violent extremism, and end cross-border proxy terrorist attacks.
• Mission Objective 1.2:
Pakistan strengthens its rule of law and increases its law enforcement
capacity and gender inclusivity within the justice sector and law
enforcement agencies.

17. Mission Goal 2: Advance Regional Stability, Integration, and Security
• Mission Objective 2.1:
Pakistan’s military capabilities do not pose a threat to the United
States or our allies and partners.
• Mission Objective 2.2:
Pakistan’s regional relationships promote democracy, prosperity,
and stability.

18. Mission Goal 3: Foster Inclusive Economic Growth and
Sustainable Development
• Mission Objective 3.1:
Pakistan accelerates inclusive, private sector-led economic growth
and imports more U.S. goods and services.
• Mission Objective 3.2:
Pakistani society is better educated, more skilled, more inclusive,
and healthier.
• Mission Objective 3.3:
Pakistan implements its commitments to reduce emissions, advances
sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, and supports an
equitable, clean, and resilient energy future.

19. Mission Goal 4: Strengthen Civilian Democratic Institutions and
Protect Human Rights
• Mission Objective 4.1:
Pakistan strengthens democratic institutions and supports the political
participation and civil rights of women, religious minorities, ethnic
minorities, residents of under-governed areas, and other disadvantaged
groups.
• Mission Objective 4.2:
Pakistan improves its support for civil society, human rights, and a free
press that operates without fear of harassment or censorship.

20. Management Objective
• Management Objective 1:
The Mission operates effectively in safe and secure facilities.
• Management Objective 2:
The Mission recruits & retains a diverse and inclusive employee workforce.
• Management Objective 3:
The Mission implements programs & operates without host government
harassment and barriers.

21. Important Points – Institutional Diffusion
• Enhancing the capacity of civilian institutions at the expense
of military capability.
• Ensuring that Pakistan's military capabilities do not pose a
threat to the United States or its allies & partners.

22. Important Points - Integration Among Neighbors
• Encourage Pakistan to engage diplomatically with India.
• India’s mindshare to be towards China.
• Separately support initiatives promoting human rights and
stability in Afghanistan.
• The Mission to encourage and insist Pakistan to continue to
host Afghan refugees and ensure voluntary refugee returns
only when conditions in Afghanistan support sustainable
repatriation.
(The US integrated country strategy on India, defines India as the partner of choice for the United States in
the region.)

23. Important Points: Regional Reintegration
• Economic linkages are seen as essential for strengthening
connectivity and trade, serving the U.S. national interest.
• Systematically create space for Pakistan to be part of the new
emerging region of West Asia, or currently known as the Middle
East North Africa, and Pakistan (MENA-P) region. Classification
of Pakistan; already in practice by IMF, World Bank, WEF, etc.
• This particular strategy is also part of India's approach to isolate
Pakistan from the South Asia region.
• Mitigation of Nuclear Threat.
i.e. BRICS, the QUAD, Act East Policy, BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative, etc. While India pursues these initiatives, it
deliberately sabotages the working of the South Asia Association Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

24. The New Currencies of Influence
Climate Change
Human Rights
Private Sector
Led-Investment and Trade
Institutional Diffusion
Sustainable Democracy
Support for Civil Society
Support for Civilian LEA
Policy Reforms, New Partners,
Facilitation Frameworks
Democratic Values,
Information, and Activism.

25. will the united states
be able to augment its influence

26. Q A

27. 25
Under embargo
until May 1, 2023
email: aj@mishal.com.pk | cell: +92.300.855.5161 | X: @amirjahangir | fb.com/amir.jahangir | insta: @ajjano

28. Backup Slides