Pakistan: history, government, and society

Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state and the world's fifth-most populous country. Its foreign policy has been shaped by the rivalry with India over Kashmir, the alliance with China (the 'all-weather friendship'), and a complex relationship with the United States that has oscillated between close cooperation and deep distrust.

Pakistan is a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping and was critical to US operations in Afghanistan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship BRI project, has deepened Pakistan's strategic ties with Beijing through massive infrastructure investment.

Pakistan faces significant internal challenges including economic instability, periodic political crises, and security threats from militant groups. Its military establishment plays an outsized role in foreign policy and domestic politics.