The US President’s triumphant affirmation - “Al Qaida is on the run… they are not a problem any longer…we have seen the turning of the tide in the war on terrorism” proved premature in the light of a recent statement (May 2003) made by Ayman Al-Zawahiri – the second-in-command in the Al Qaida network – ‘to take matters firmly against the embassies of America, England, Australia… burn the ground under their feet.’ This latest announcement, in addition to the Riyadh bombings and the Moroccan suicide attacks, underscores the continuing threat from Al-Qaida. With several extremist groups reconstituting themselves under different names and renewing their activities post-Iraq, it is clear that Washington has failed to fight terrorism.

To fight ‘global terrorism’ the United States needs to abandon its ‘daisy-cutters and olive branch’ attitude. Such an approach, till now, brought no sops for the country, which continues to be under a terrorist threat. Subsequent to the US demonstration of unilateralism in Iraq, terrorism has surfaced with renewed vigour in various parts of the world.

The real problem in failing to put up an effective resistance to terrorism lies in America’s segmented policy planning. Let us review the US position in South Asia post-9/11 with respect to India and Pakistan. Washington’s South Asia policy during the Cold War (e.g. nurturing the Taliban against the Soviet Union and cooperating with Islamabad) is responsible for many of its present difficulties. However, Washington does not appear to have learnt any lesson. It continues to hail General Musharraf’s role in the ‘global war against terror’ and is presently preparing for the General’s visit to the US, which includes a summit at the presidential retreat in Camp David.

Though many feel that Indo-US relations have been on the upswing since 9/11, the ground-level scenario presents a more subdued picture. Notwithstanding Senator Larry Pressler labeling India a ‘natural ally’ of the US, and as “America’s foremost friend in this corner” of the world, the US is not inclined to act against Pakistan for stopping cross-border terrorism in India. The US Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage’s, recent visit to the region made two things very clear. One, though Washington would urge Islamabad to stop infiltration into India, its leverage in ensuring compliance was limited. Two, the US government would continue to favour Pakistan – “Pakistan has been absolutely magnificent” in its dealing with the Al Qaida and the Taliban cadre. This is despite indications since 9/11 that the Al Qaida and its associates are still active in Pakistan, where a Church was recently attacked, French nationals assassinated, and the American journalist Daniel Pearl kidnapped and murdered, in the not-too-distant past.

It is evident that Washington is employing different strategies for solving the Israel-Palestine and the India-Pakistan conflicts. Whereas the US expects Palestine to end terrorism before Israel decides on a dialogue, there is no such insistence with regard to Pakistan, despite Washington’s possession of ‘scraps of information’ regarding terrorist operations along the LOC in Kashmir, abetted by Islamabad.

Though Indo-US military cooperation has increased post-9/11, including exchange of intelligence, a closer look at the interaction reveals that while the US sees a role for Indian forces in its security planning, it does not want to assume any role in assuring India’s security. After all, India was never included in any Persian Gulf-related exercise or activity.

Though Indo-US relations have witnessed a dramatic upswing, they are still at an embryonic stage. Terrorism has brought the two nations together post-9/11. However, though both countries are committed to fighting terrorism, they are unable to do so since the US remains constrained by Pakistan – a factor, which shaped its strategy in South Asia during the Cold War. This is not to suggest that the US is blind to Islamabad’s misdeeds. There are instances, like the possibility of an amendment titled “Section 708: Report on Actions Taken by Pakistan” being imposed upon the recalcitrant state projecting Washington’s disillusionment with Islamabad; the Amendment refers to the infiltration of "Islamic extremists" across the Line of Control into India and its tabling before the Congress is a landmark decision demonstrating the Congress’ acknowledgement of Pakistan’s role in abetting terrorism and proliferating nuclear weapons technology.  However, these steps fall short of real punitive action against Pakistan. Till the US recognizes that there are two wars to be fought jointly with India and other like-minded members of the international community, and that both these wars are intertwinedâ€â€