Earlier this year, Admiral Mike Mullen told the chiefs of defense from central and south Asia that the U.S. is committed to the region “for the long haul.” His remarks at the January conference hearkened to Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ reassurances that the United States has “no designs on the region.”
More recently, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Fluornoy told Congress on April 29th that a strong partnership with Pakistan ” is absolutely vital to U.S. interests, but it’s also complex.” She added that a series of terrorist attacks on Pakistani cities has helped to “galvanize the population to see this as more than just a U.S. fight, but one in which they have a vital interest.”
She said that the U.S. needs to provide more than just military support, saying that satisfying critical needs like potable water and reliable energy are essential to America’s “staying power” in the region. “We’ve been extremely responsive to their needs in funding and other support. I think they are starting to believe that we are committed to the greater security of the region and that extends their willingness to work with us, ” she said.
Just as “an Afghan with a job is more likely to side with the government and reject the insurgency, ” as Brig. Gen. Gary Patton said, success in Pakistan will also be driven by “winning the confidence of the population.”
Between increased military and humanitarian support for Pakistan, there are serious opportunities for government contractors with strong regional presences and proven teaming partners. Look for more opportunities on the Pakistan side of “AfPak” in the next few years, even more rapidly than support contracts in Kuwait increased in response to the increase of humanitarian and military efforts in Iraq.
