Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 07/2009

From AfPak to PakAf: A Response to the New U.S. Strategy for South Asia

Daniel Markey

April 2009

Council on Foreign Relations

Abstract

President Obama publicly unveiled his administration's policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan in March 2009. In this Policy Options Paper, CFR Senior Fellow Daniel Markey analyzes the Obama administration's strategy and lays out two realistic alternatives. He argues that a narrow focus on counterterrorism is insufficient to protect U.S. interests in South Asia and advocates a long-term approach that prioritizes engagement with Pakistan. Finally, he proposes a number of detailed recommendations to implement this strategy.