A Fragile Yet Durable Non-Traditional Alliance:An Analysis of the U.S.–Pakistan Quasi-Alliance

　　ABSTRACT: The formation of alliances is by no means a new phenomenon in the field of international relations, scholars having given it much consideration. As the practice of international relations has developed and the extent of interactions between states increased, further explication of traditional theories of alliances has been necessary in order to understand the development of alliances, and the concept of a quasi-alliance has been introduced to compensate for insufficiencies in traditional theories. The U.S. – Pakistan alliance against terrorism might more appropriately be considered a quasi-alliance. While the two states have engaged in military cooperation around the themes of anti-terrorism and have seen a certain level of achievements from this cooperation, conflicts continue to intensify between them as the two states have different intentions behind their anti-terror activities and different preferences. While they continue their cooperation, differences continue to emerge. After Osama Bin Laden was killed, disputes between the two states on a series of issues intensified rapidly, the quasi-alliance reaching a low point. Why have U.S.-Pakistan relations become more tense and even reached a stalemate as cooperation on anti-terror continues to progress? What is the root of problem in their relations? Borrowing from theories of alliances and quasi-alliances, this paper considers the evolution and basic changes in U.S.-Pakistan anti-terror cooperation. It attempts to analyze the drivers behind the formation of the U.S.-Pakistan quasi-alliance, and assesses the trends in the relationship based on the characteristics of a quasi-alliance and the empirical obstacles faced in the case of the U.S. and Pakistan.