Abstract
The role of small powers in competition between great powers is crucial. To achieve worldwide strategic goals and increase their political and military might great powers form alliances and exploit smaller states for their strategic objectives. On the other hand, small states enter in alliance with great powers to receive military aid and secure its strategic goals. In this context, this research paper explains role of Pakistan in great power competition. Pakistan is a significant geostrategic location and has been central to this competition. Historically, Pakistan was US ally during cold war era and remained part of its subsequent defense organizations. Besides, Pakistan remained pivotal in helping US to achieve her strategic goals during Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The Indian factor and apprehension of communist threats compelled the country to enter US alliance and to receive defense support. Currently, the growing US-China strategic competition has pushed Pakistan towards a difficult position. The benefits received from Chinese side through CPEC are way more than the US has ever given to Pakistan. Though Pakistan has clarified to be neutral
Highlights
Small states in the right places are regarded very important by big powers
A small state with unique geographical location is of great importance to a great power (Lebow, 1997)
This research paper discussed the role of small states in great power competition
Summary
Small states in the right places are regarded very important by big powers. Small states are considered highly important in great power competition. On the other hand, sometimes prefer to join alliances to meet its military and economic concerns and in some cases they prefer to be neutral In this backdrop, Pakistan has always played central role in great power competition due to its geostrategic importance, the Indian factor and the communist threats. The Soviet Union’s foreign policy goals were to spread and strengthen the position of socialism throughout the world (Hoffmann, 1987) These two wholly opposed strategies provided the framework for competition within a bipolar system of power distribution and future conflict between the two world superpowers. For US, strategic competition with China is a key national security concern in recent times Competition between these two great powers is impacting nearly every aspect of geopolitics. Data for this study has been collected through secondary sources with secondary data analysis
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