THE ROLE OF SMALL STATES IN LARGE STATES’ FOREIGN POLICY: ANALYSIS OF PAKISTAN - U. S. RELATIONS

Abstract

The paper analyses the importance of state states in the affairs of bigger states in the context of foreign policy persuasion. In this context the paper examines the relations between Pakistan which is seen as small state in its relations with the United Sates of America, which is a big state. It reviewed a number of literatures on small states in large states’ foreign policy persuasion and found that some small states are very crucial and are key influencers of big states foreign policy directions. The paper found Pakistan a key ally of USA in military and security sense and in the war of terror. Despite some issues of distrust between Pakistan and USA including the killing of some terrorists in Pakistan, the USA seems unlikely to abandon the small state of Pakistan due to its strategic location (geopolitics). Thus, some small states matter so much in foreign policy persuasion.