Pakistan (The Dragon Splits)

Pakistan, formally called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, sharing borders with India, China, Afghanistan, and Iran. The country lies at the crossroads of Central Asia and Western Asia, or the Middle East.

History
See also: History of Pakistan

Independence and the Cold War
Pakistan became independent in 1947 after the end of British rule in the Indian subcontinent. It was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Pakistan and India were often at odds, especially with the Kashmir question. The area is dispute between India, Pakistan, and China. A series of border clashes and troop buildups occurred from 1947-1999.

During the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan supported the Afghan mujahideen against the Soviets. This support came in the form of money and small arms coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, West Germany, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China. The Pakistan Air Force often intercepted Soviet and Afghan aircraft that went to its airspace.

1990s
After the Soviet Union collapsed, Pakistan allegedly supported the Taliban movement growing within Afghanistan. This resulted in the Afghan Civil War between the new government and the Taliban. In September 1996, the Taliban captured Kabul while the government forces retreated north, forming the Northern Alliance. The country also tested it's first nuclear weapon in 1998.

The War on Terror
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, Pakistan was a primary concern for the coalition forces as Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters often sought refugee in the country's northern border with Afghanistan. The country was designated a major-non NATO ally (MNNA) of the United States by President George W. Bush in 2003. Despite being a U.S. ally, Pakistan and the U.S. often disagreed on matters in the region. In 2008, the two allies military clashed, which only ended in 2012 with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issuing an apology to the Pakistani government over the loss of life.

On May 1, 2011, Osama bin-Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda who has evaded the United States for 10 years, was killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in his compound in Abbottabad. The SEALs were able to execute the mission before Pakistani fighter jets intercepted them. Because of the nature of the operation, U.S.-Pakistani relations soured. In February 2012, nine months after bin Laden was killed, Pakistani authorities demolished the compound where Osama bin Laden had lived for years.

Chinese Insurgency
Before the Chinese insurgency began with relations with the U.S. and Pakistan at its lowest point, Pakistan began to approach China in terms of economic and military relations. At the start of the Tibetan Unrest in November 2015, Pakistan has voiced support for the PRC. In 2016, with the pullout of Chinese PLA soldiers from Aksai Chin, Indian forces quickly seized those territories. Pakistan, in response, put its troops in Kashmir on high alert.

Military
The military of Pakistan is the Pakistan Armed Forces. It is divided into the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force. Pakistan operates both U.S., Chinese, and Russian military equipment. It has recently joined with the PRC is developing new fighter jets and missiles. Pakistan is known to posses nuclear weapons.

Foreign Relations
Pakistan has good relations with China after its diplomatic relations with the United States soured. This relationship extends to economic and military tenures. China and Pakistan jointly developed the JF-17 Fighter jet. Pakistan often purchases military equipment from the PRC. China sees Pakistan as a counter to both U.S. and Indian influence over the South Asian region.