U.S. Aid to Pakistan during the Tenures of Democrat and Republican Administrations

Abstract

This article examines the allocation of economic and military aid from the United States (U.S.) to Pakistan during the tenures of Democrat and Republican presidents. Focusing on the aggregate and annual U.S. bilateral aid to Pakistan from 1948 to 2015 covering key regional and global events including the Cold War, the post-Cold War and the War on Terror periods, the analysis illustrates that there are many fluctuations during the administrations of both political parties. It concludes that the ebb and flow in foreign (aid) policy vis-à-vis Pakistan highlights the irrelevance of U.S. presidential party affiliation, especially during times of crisis. The numbers show that regardless of which administration sits in Congress or the White House, America‟s foreign policy goals are to safeguard its global interests, rather than its allies.