Transforming Strategic Calculus in Contemporary Foreign Policy Behavior of Pakistan: Inputs, Preferences and Choices

Abstract

Geography and politics are interconnected but ever-changing nature of foreign policy behavior is actually shaped by Ideas and shared norms. Robert D. Kaplan in his article ‘the revenge of geography’ extended Sir Halford Mackinder’s 1904 theory of geographic pivot. Kaplan’s assessment of Pakistan’s geographic vulnerability and dysfunction on the basis of unsafe boarders can be traced within realist domain however it is a narrow interpretation of Mackinder’s framework. A hybrid analysis of geographic impediments and strategic stimulus in contemporary foreign policy of Pakistan denote another picture that do not confirm Kaplan’s reductionist view point. The paper gives an insight into new inputs in foreign policy behavior of Pakistan by considering different angles of geographic pivot and emerging strategic dynamics at regional level. The first part discusses Robert Kaplan’s assessment of Pakistan’s geographic vulnerability and domestic constraints influencing its foreign policy behavior. The second section is a brief overview of strategic calculus and new inputs in contemporary orientation of Pakistan’s foreign policy behavior followed by brief conclusion of discussion.