U.S.-PAKISTAN RELATIONS

Map:  Pakistan. Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The United States has had diplomatic relations with Pakistan since the latter's 1947 independence from the United Kingdom. The two countries' common interest in peace and stability in South Asia has informed their relationship over the decades. In the context of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, the United States provided military aid to Pakistan to modernize its conventional defensive capability. However, the discovery of Pakistan’s program to develop nuclear weapons caused the United States to suspend military assistance in 1990.

The September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States by a terrorist organization based in Afghanistan known as al-Qaida led to closer coordination between Pakistan and the United States on security and stability in South Asia. Pakistan pledged cooperation with the United States in counterterrorism efforts, which included locating and shutting down terrorist training camps within Pakistan's borders, cracking down on extremist groups, and withdrawing support for the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The United States resumed a close security partnership with the Pakistani military and law enforcement. In 2004, the United States recognized its closer bilateral ties with Pakistan by naming Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally.

Since 2001, Pakistan has provided assistance in counterterrorism efforts by capturing more than 600 al-Qaida members and their allies. In May 2011, the leader of al-Qaida, Osama bin Ladin, was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan. A November 2011 cross-border incident involving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) resulted in the accidental tragic death of 24 Pakistani soldiers. In response, Pakistan's parliament conducted a review of U.S.-Pakistan relations and in April 2012 approved policy recommendations for revised terms of engagement with the U.S. and ISAF. The United States continues to engage with Pakistan on shared interests and seeks a bilateral relationship that is enduring, strategic, and clearly defined.

U.S. Assistance to Pakistan

The U.S. Congress passed the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act (often referred to as "Kerry-Lugar-Berman," or "KLB," after its co-sponsors) in October 2009 in order to demonstrate the U.S.’ long-term commitment to cooperation with the Pakistani people and their civilian institutions. Between 2009 and August 2012, the U.S. disbursed approximately $2.9 billion in civilian assistance to Pakistan, including almost $1 billion of emergency humanitarian assistance following the 2010 and 2011 floods.

U.S. civilian assistance to Pakistan is focused on five priority areas: energy; economic growth, including agriculture; stabilization, mainly of the border areas; education, and health. These areas were determined in consultation with the Government of Pakistan. The U.S. implements programs with Pakistani partners, including the Government of Pakistan and private sector actors, when practical, to increase local capacity and sustainability of efforts.

Bilateral Economic Relations

In 2009, Pakistan's exports to all countries were estimated at $17.87 billion and its imports at $28.31 billion. In 2008, the U.S. accounted for 16% of the country's exports and almost 5% of its imports, making it Pakistan’s second largest trading partner. Pakistan has taken steps over the years to liberalize its trade and investment regimes, either unilaterally or in the context of commitments made with the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. In FY 2010, major U.S. investments were concentrated in oil and gas exploration, power, trade, construction, food, food packaging, and chemicals and petroleum refining.

Pakistan's Membership in International Organizations

Pakistan and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, WTO, IMF, and World Bank. Pakistan is not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

 

Locator Map:  Pakistan.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

the Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. India-Pakistan relations have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, but both countries are taking small steps to put relations back on track. In February 2008, Pakistan held parliamentary elections and in September 2008, after the resignation of former President MUSHARRAF, elected Asif Ali ZARDARI to the presidency. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control domestic insurgents, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan. In January 2012, Pakistan assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2012-13 term.

COMMANDER OF U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENSE PAKISTAN KNEW BIN LADEN'S LOCATION

Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, right, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, talks with PBS' Charlie Rose about the raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. Rose interviewed McRaven during the Hero Summit in Washington, D.C., Nov. 14, 2012. DOD photo by Claudette Roulo

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

McRaven: No Evidence Pakistan Knew bin Laden's Location

By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2012 - The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said yesterday that a post-raid assessment concluded there is no evidence that the Pakistani government knew the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden.

Navy Adm. William H. McRaven told attendees at the Hero Summit that Pakistan wasn't informed of the raid that led to the death of bin Laden because the initial assumption was "How could they not know he was there?"

Senior leaders, he said, believed informing Pakistan about the raid in advance would have put the mission at risk. McRaven said he doesn't believe the Pakistani government knew bin Laden's whereabouts. "We have no intelligence that indicates the Pakistanis knew he was there," he added.

McRaven, interviewed on stage by PBS' Charlie Rose, said there was never a moment he doubted the raid would succeed. "We hand-picked the guys," he said. "They were the best of the best, all across the board. They had extensive combat experience, and consequently ... I was very confident."

Though bin Laden is dead, nonstate actors still present a threat, the admiral said.

"We've done a terrific job of taking care of the core of al- Qaida," McRaven said. But, he added, "there's no such thing as a local problem anymore. ... Everything in the world is connected." This interconnectedness means the future of special operations lies in partnerships with other nations, he added.

"We understand ... to minimize the rise of violent extremism, you have to create the conditions on the ground where people have good jobs, where there is the rule of law, where there is stability [and] where there is good governance," he said. "We think, from a military standpoint, we can certainly help with the security that will be required to help begin to build some of that stability.

"The raids get all the media attention," he continued, "but the reality of the matter is the bulk of what we do is building partner capacity and working with host nations. I think that's the future of special operations."

The admiral said he recently returned from Afghanistan, where partnership building is ongoing, and he feels the relationship is the best he's ever seen it. The relationship between Afghans and their local, regional and national governments is taking serious root, he said.

Afghanistan will be a better version of itself in 2014, McRaven said, noting that the Afghan army is one of the most respected institutions in the country.

"It's an entirely different paradigm for the people of Afghanistan, but I'm convinced we're on the right path," he said.

U.S. DOD SAYS REOPENED SUPPLY LINE INTO AFGHANISTAN WILL SAVE MILLIONS

Map Credit:  U.S. Department Of State
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCE PRESS SERVICE
Reopened Supply Routes Mean Cost Savings, Spokesman Says
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2012 - Pakistan's decision to reopen ground supply routes on its border with Afghanistan will allow the Defense Department to save tens of millions of dollars transporting material in and out of Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon spokesman said here today.

Navy Capt. John Kirby said officials estimate that use of the reopened routes will save $70 million to $100 million per month.

Kirby noted that Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta had told Congress that since Pakistan had closed the routes in November, resupplying forces in Afghanistan had been costing the United States about $100 million more per month than before the closure.
"Secretary Panetta fully supports the approach that was taken, and the discussions that were had," Kirby said. "He welcomes the decision by Pakistan to open the gates."
Pakistan closed the supply routes after a Nov. 26, 2011, incident in which American troops came under fire from Pakistan. U.S. forces returned fire and killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan responded by closing the main overland supply routes for U.S. and NATO forces into Afghanistan.

U.S. logistics specialists quickly shifted to other means, such as the Northern Distribution Network, to supply the forces. However, DOD officials have noted the routes through Pakistan are considered the most direct and most cost-effective.

"The Defense Department, immediately after the incident in November, expressed our regrets and condolences over it [and] acknowledged the mistakes we've made, and we're sorry for those mistakes," Kirby told reporters today.

He added that although the Pakistani ground supply routes are cheaper, coalition forces will continue to use the Northern Distribution Network as well.

"The Northern Distribution Network is still a viable, vital method through which logistics flow in and out of Afghanistan," Kirby said. "One of the things that we're looking at, more [now] than we were in November when the [Pakistani ground supply routes] closed, was retrograde -- the need to get material out of Afghanistan. So the Northern Distribution Network will still remain vital as we move forward."

Kirby said traffic has started to flow through the Pakistan ground gates, and that the same agreement in place before the closure still applies.

"The same arrangement we had using the ground gates before they closed are in existence now," he said. "There's been no change to those agreements." No lethal material is permitted to flow through the ground lines of communication, he added, unless it is designed and designated solely for the Afghan national security forces.

Kirby said the United States and Pakistan continue to work to "get this relationship on better footing."

"My sense is this was just a series of a lot of discussions and negotiations, and [a] concerted effort by both sides to move past this and to get the relationship into a better place [as we] start to look at the common challenges in the region," he said.
Kirby re-emphasized the practical benefits and cost-effectiveness of moving logistics through Pakistan's ground supply routes.

"We've always said moving things through the ground gates is cheaper and more expedient," he said. "Because we have that open to us now, it will save money."

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE PANETTA WELCOMES OPENING OF SUPPLY LINES BY PAKISTAN

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

By Cheryl Pellerin
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today welcomed Pakistan's decision to open ground lines of communication on the border with Afghanistan that have been closed since November.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the decision after a telephone call this morning with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.


"As I have made clear," Panetta said, "we remain committed to improving our partnership with Pakistan and to working closely together as our two nations confront common security challenges in the region."


On the call with Khar, Clinton said, "I once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives."


Clinton and Khar acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives, she added.


"We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military," she added. "We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again."


In reopening the ground lines of communication, Pakistan will not charge transit fees in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region, Clinton said.


"This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan's support for a secure, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region," she said, adding that the move will help the United States and the International Security Assistance Force conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost.
"This is critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan," Clinton said.


Khar said no lethal equipment will transit Pakistan into Afghanistan unless it is meant to equip the Afghan national security force.


During the call, Khar and Clinton discussed the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States and the region, she said.


Clinton said she and Khar also discussed supporting Afghanistan's security, stability and efforts towards reconciliation, and continuing to work together to advance the two nations' many other shared interests, from increasing trade and investment to strengthening our people-to-people ties.


"Our countries should have a relationship that is enduring, strategic and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region," the secretary said.


U.S. and Pakistani troops are in a fight against a common enemy, she said, and have enhanced counterterrorism cooperation against terrorists that threaten both countries, with the goal of defeating al-Qaida in the region.


As the call ended, Clinton said, "I reiterated our deep appreciation to the government and the people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism."

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON OFFERS CONDOLENCES FOR PAKISTANIS KILLED IN SALALA INCIDENT

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Statement by Secretary Clinton on her Call With Pakistani Foreign Minister Khar
Press Statement Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State Washington, DC
July 3, 2012
This morning, I spoke by telephone with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
I once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives. Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives. We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again.

As I told the former Prime Minister of Pakistan days after the Salala incident, America respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and is committed to working together in pursuit of shared objectives on the basis of mutual interests and mutual respect.

In today’s phone call, Foreign Minister Khar and I talked about the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States, and the region; of supporting Afghanistan’s security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance the many other shared interests we have, from increasing trade and investment to strengthening our people-to-people ties. Our countries should have a relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region.

The Foreign Minister and I were reminded that our troops – Pakistani and American – are in a fight against a common enemy. We are both sorry for losses suffered by both our countries in this fight against terrorists. We have enhanced our counter-terrorism cooperation against terrorists that threaten Pakistan and the United States, with the goal of defeating Al-Qaida in the region.

In addition, I am pleased that Foreign Minister Khar has informed me that the ground supply lines (GLOC) into Afghanistan are opening. Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region. This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan’s support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region. This will also help the United States and ISAF conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost. This is critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Khar has informed me that, consistent with current practice, no lethal equipment will transit the GLOC into Afghanistan except for equipping the ANSF. In concluding the call, I reiterated our deep appreciation to the Government and the people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism.

U.S. STILL WORKING TO OPEN SUPPLY ROUTES IN PAKISTAN

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy.
FROM:   AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Work Continues Toward Opening Pakistan Supply Routes
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2012 - Though a team of U.S. negotiators is returning home after several weeks of discussing reopening ground supply routes in Pakistan, the talks are not mired, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

In November, Pakistan closed ground routes that had been used to resupply forces in Afghanistan after a NATO airstrike accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers earlier in the month.

"The [ground lines of communication] remain an open issue," Little told reporters. "We've not reached a resolution yet with the Pakistanis on reopening the ground supply routes. We hope to resolve the issue soon. We haven't gotten to 'yes' yet, but this is something we're going to continue to work very hard [on] with our Pakistani counterparts."

Officials will continue to work through the office of the defense representative in Pakistan to try to resolve the matter, Little said. "We will continue to have dialogue," he added, "so while the issue is not resolved, the talking has not stalled."

The press secretary emphasized that the negotiating team's departure from Pakistan shouldn't be taken as a sign of unwillingness to continue the dialogue.

"The members of the team that are leaving, or have left, are prepared to return to Islamabad at any moment to continue discussions in person," he said. Little said he thinks there is agreement, in concept, that the supply routes can be reopened. "Both sides would like to be able to reopen the ground supply routes," he said. "There are some specific issues that need to [be] worked through."

Although it's possible to continue the mission in Afghanistan without the Pakistani ground supply routes, Little said, having them open would provide more options and would be less expensive.

"The more options you have available to you when you're mounting a major logistics effort like supplying the war effort in Afghanistan, and in bringing people and equipment out, the better," he said.

Little said the decision for the U.S. team to leave Pakistan was independent of Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta's comments reflecting frustration over Pakistan serving as a safe haven for terrorists.

"The comments ... were largely directed at the problem of the Haqqani network and the safe haven in Pakistan," he noted. "We've made our concerns known for a very long time about the safe havens in Pakistan, and the ability of the Haqqani network to cross the border and conduct attacks inside Afghanistan. The secretary's remarks on the trip were focused [on that]."

Little said the Haqqani network's ability to conduct operations inside Afghanistan remains a "very serious concern" for the United States.

"We believe that it's important, as [Panetta] indicated, that the Pakistanis do their part, on their side of the border, to stop the Haqqanis from mounting operations," he said.
"This is something we need to work through with the Pakistanis," he added. "We believe that we can establish a relationship that produces the kind of action we believe is required on their side of the border."

U.S. RELATIONS STRAINED WITH PAKISTAN OVER SAFE HAVENS

Map:  Pakistan-Afghanistan Border.  Credit:  Wikimedia. 

FROM:  U.S. AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

U.S. Reaching Limit of Patience With Pakistan on Safe Havens

By Jim Garamone

KABUL, Afghanistan, June 7, 2012 - The United States is reaching the limits of its patience with Pakistan serving as a safe haven for terrorists attacking American forces in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said here today.

"We are reaching the limits of our patience, and for that reason it is extremely important that Pakistan take action to prevent this kind of safe haven," the secretary said.

Panetta was particularly incensed about the Haqqani network using the Federally Administered Tribal Area in Pakistan as a safe haven. The Haqqanis most recent outrage was an attack on Forward Operating Base Salerno in Regional Command-East. The attack on June 1 killed an American contractor and wounded dozens of service members.

Panetta spoke during a news conference with Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak in the Chai House on the grounds of the Defense Ministry.

The secretary said he will continue to push the Pakistanis to deal with the Haqqani network. "We will continue to make it clear that it is an intolerable situation," he said. "We will take whatever steps necessary to protect our forces -- that's a principle that we always stand by. To make that happen we have to have the cooperation of Pakistan to take steps to control the Haqqani threat on their side of the border."

While there has been an uptick in attacks inside Afghanistan, the level of violence is lower than in the past, officials said. The secretary noted that there have been difficult challenges, setbacks and heartbreak. But "there is no denying the fact that we have moved closer to achieving our objectives" he said.

Both Panetta and Wardak said the Taliban has lost the momentum, and that International Security Assistance Force service members and Afghan forces have maintained pressure on the Taliban, denying them the ability to regain lost territory.

The Afghan security forces are increasing in quality as well as size -- up to 352,000 shortly -- and they are increasingly in the lead, officials said.

"Every day, they are improving their capability to secure the areas they are assigned," Panetta said.

Afghan forces already provide security for more than 50 percent of the population, said officials, noting this will increase to 75 percent this year. Afghans will be in the lead in all areas by the middle of next year. This will enable U.S. and other coalition forces to evolve from conventional formations to advisory teams. All ISAF combat troops will be out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

But the international community will not just let Afghanistan sink or swim. The recent NATO Summit in Chicago, Panetta said, sends a strong signal "that we have an enduring commitment to the security and stability of Afghanistan and that we will support the ANSF not just now but over the long term."

Panetta hopes the Taliban hears this loud and clear. "The resolve of the international community to stand with Afghanistan sends a very strong message to the Taliban that we are committed to the long term in Afghanistan, we're not going anywhere and that time not on their side," he said.

PENTAGON SAYS U.S. PAKISTAN-RELATIONS IMPROVING

Photo:  Pentagon Under Construction.  Credit:  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

U.S., Pakistan Military Coordination Improves

By Claudette Roulo

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2012 - In a sign of improving coordination between the United States and Pakistan, two U.S. military liaison officers recently returned to Pakistan, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby told reporters today.

The officers returned to Pakistan at the request of the Pakistani government, Kirby said.

The posting is part of the effort to improve tactical and operational coordination between the International Security Assistance Force and the Pakistani military, Kirby said. The purpose is to "increase and improve communication between the two militaries along that border," he added.

The liaison officers left Pakistan following last November's cross-border incident, Kirby said.

Inadequate coordination was cited as one cause in a DOD review of the incident in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed after coalition troops operating in Kunar province, Afghanistan, were fired upon from border positions within Pakistan.

Based in Peshawar, Pakistan, the liaison officers are working with the headquarters staff of the Pakistani army's 11th Corps, Kirby said.

The 11th Corps' area of responsibility, he said, includes the border region that matches up with Regional Command East on the Afghanistan side.

 

NATO COMMANDER IN AFGHANISTAN POSITIVE ON PAKISTAN RELATIONS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
ISAF Commander Sees Positive Signs for Relationship with Pakistan
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. , May 16, 2012 - The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan pointed to indications today that Pakistan is preparing to open cross-border NATO supply lines into Afghanistan.

Speaking by video teleconference, Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, told the sixth annual 2012 Joint Warfighting Conference he would welcome the move as well as improved relations with Pakistan for the stability of the region.

"There have been in the last several days, some very important signals coming out of Islamabad that there is a consideration to re-open the ground lines of communication, and we, frankly, would welcome that, we would applaud that decision," Allen said. "It would, in fact, be helpful to us if the ground lines of communication were opened, not just because of what could flow into Afghanistan but what could flow out of Afghanistan."
Relations between ISAF and Pakistan have been strained since a November 26 engagement near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead. Pakistan closed ISAF ground supply lines into Afghanistan in response. Allen noted the closing of the routes has not affected the ISAF mission.

"I will tell you the effect of the closure of that route on the campaign has not slowed us at all," he said. "The air bridge into Afghanistan and the flow of materiel across the Northern Distribution Network were modulated in a way that continued to support the campaign in every operational respect."

He said there has been a general review by the Pakistani Parliament of relations with the United States and some "very hopeful signs".

Allen also said Pakistan has "paid a great price" in fighting terrorism on its own soil. "I have to take a few minutes to honor the sacrifices of the Pakistani military who have fought across the border from us against their own insurgent elements."

Pakistani casualties in just the last two years, Allen said, far exceed ISAF casualties in the entire 10 years of the Afghan war. "The numbers of their troops that have been wounded by IEDs, the civilians who have been killed by suicide bombers – the price has been very high in Pakistan as well," he said. "And often, that has been overlooked."
There have been occasions when ISAF and Pakistan have conducted "coordinated operations" along the border for a common interest in security, although "there haven't been any for a couple years now," he said.

"So I would say that over the next several months, we may well see, between ISAF and the Afghan national security forces and the Pakistani military, an ability to work very closely to ensure that we can coordinate operations along the border," Allen said, ensuring an avoidance of any new cross-border incidents.

Allen said he believes there could "conceivably" be coordinated operations between ISAF, Afghanistan and Pakistan to ensure "a stable, peaceful and secure Afghanistan."
"My hope is, in the weeks and months ahead, we can leverage all of that opportunity for common ground, both to improve the relationship at a policy level, but certainly to improve the military to military relationship as well," he said.