The United States is deepening its relationship with Pakistan to secure strategic military access, positioning American assets closer to regional adversaries like China and Iran, according to Associate Professor Paul Poast of the University of Chicago.
Speaking to ANI, Poast highlighted that Pakistan’s geographic location provides a vital gateway for US operations in a volatile region. “They are an ally who gives the US access. If we have a presence there, it puts us that much closer to China and puts our assets closer to China and Iran,” he said.
Poast linked these developments to the Trump administration’s emphasis on military primacy, citing the recent executive order renaming the Department of Defence as the Department of War. “They have made it very clear that military affairs are a central part of what governments do. Pakistan is seen not as a diplomatic partner, but as a logistical enabler for projecting US military power,” he explained.
The expert pointed to Operation Midnight Hammer—the June 22 US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—as an example of operations enabled by US bases and personnel in strategically positioned countries. “From this perspective, it makes sense why the US would focus on military officials and access rather than purely diplomatic engagement with Pakistan,” Poast added.
The remarks come as President Trump hosted Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif- and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir at the Oval Office in Washington. However, the White House has yet to release official photos or video of the meeting, in contrast to earlier meetings with leaders like Turkish President Recep Erdogan, which were followed by live briefings. The Trump-Sharif meeting was only documented via Pakistan’s official social media accounts.
