by Wajahat S. Khan LONDON
NBC NEWS - JUNE 19, 2017
Nuclear-armed Pakistan is a key ally of the United States — but the relationship is far from untroubled. And one of Washington's main geopolitical rivals appears ready to step in. The Pentagon is warning that the Islamic republic may soon house a Chinese military base.
While the U.S. gives Islamabad hundreds of millions of dollars in
aid, the two countries are not on the same page when it comes to
fighting terrorism or ending the war in Afghanistan.
A report released earlier this month
suggested that Beijing would likely turn to countries such as Pakistan
as it seeks to project its economic and military power abroad.
The Pentagon didn't provide a time frame for
such a move. However, a senior Pakistani diplomat confirmed to NBC News
that his country invited China to build a naval facility on its
territory back in 2011.
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