September 2008
The Pakistan Policy Working Group is an independent, bipartisan group of American experts on U.S.–Pakistan relations. The group was formed in January 2008 to assess the state of U.S.–Pakistan relations and to offer ideas to the next U.S. President and his Administration on managing this critical partnership. The group’s efforts were guided by the understanding that Pakistan is and will remain one of the United States’ foremost foreign policy and national security challenges, deserving of heightened attention in the new Administration.
The group met regularly for eight months to discuss topics involving Pakistan’s domestic political situation, counterterrorism and internal security challenges, relationships within the region, and economic development and assistance. To inform the group’s work, members traveled to Pakistan, where they interviewed government officials, academics, business leaders, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) workers. Various U.S. officials and Pakistani experts also joined the group’s regular meetings to brief members on their areas of expertise. This report presents the findings of those meetings and research trips.
This report was reviewed and endorsed by Richard L. Armitage, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, and Lee H. Hamilton, former U.S. Representative and Co-Chair of the 9-11 Commission.
The findings in this report reflect a strong consensus view of the group but not necessarily every individual’s specific views or those of their respective institutions.