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Thread: Biden Administration's First 100 Days, Afghan Peace Process & South Asian Geopolitics - Challenges Ahead?
Biden Administration’s politically calculated nominations depict a lot about the future course of action. The statements, write-ups and policy briefs
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![Thread: Biden Administration's First 100 Days, Afghan Peace Process & South Asian Geopolitics - Challenges Ahead?Biden Administration’s politically calculated nominations depict a lot about the future course of action. The statements, write-ups and policy briefs[1]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa4QlEWMAAT4e3.jpg "Thread: Biden Administration's First 100 Days, Afghan Peace Process & South Asian Geopolitics - Challenges Ahead?Biden Administration’s politically calculated nominations depict a lot about the future course of action. The statements, write-ups and policy briefs[1]")
Biden Administration’s politically calculated nominations depict a lot about the future course of action. The statements, write-ups and policy briefs
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during presidential campaign and the former roles have already crafted Biden-administration’s narrative.
Here is the compilation of statements by the significant few:
William J. Burns, President NED linked Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Biden’s Director CIA.
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![during presidential campaign and the former roles have already crafted Biden-administration’s narrative.Here is the compilation of statements by the significant few:William J. Burns, President NED linked Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Biden’s Director CIA.[2]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esax4b3XcAESwjU.jpg "during presidential campaign and the former roles have already crafted Biden-administration’s narrative.Here is the compilation of statements by the significant few:William J. Burns, President NED linked Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Biden’s Director CIA.[2]")
![during presidential campaign and the former roles have already crafted Biden-administration’s narrative.Here is the compilation of statements by the significant few:William J. Burns, President NED linked Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Biden’s Director CIA.[2]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esax9a6XAAAaCK2.png "during presidential campaign and the former roles have already crafted Biden-administration’s narrative.Here is the compilation of statements by the significant few:William J. Burns, President NED linked Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Biden’s Director CIA.[2]")
Here is the compilation of statements by the significant few:
William J. Burns, President NED linked Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Biden’s Director CIA.
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Burns, in his article, “The United States Needs a New Foreign Policy”, written in July 2020 for The Atlantic says, “Armed with a clear sense of priorities, the next administration will have to reinvent U.S. alliances and partnerships and make some hard—and overdue—
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![Burns, in his article, “The United States Needs a New Foreign Policy”, written in July 2020 for The Atlantic says, “Armed with a clear sense of priorities, the next administration will have to reinvent U.S. alliances and partnerships and make some hard—and overdue—[3]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsayL3ZXEAIGe2F.jpg "Burns, in his article, “The United States Needs a New Foreign Policy”, written in July 2020 for The Atlantic says, “Armed with a clear sense of priorities, the next administration will have to reinvent U.S. alliances and partnerships and make some hard—and overdue—[3]")
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choices about America’s tools and terms of engagement around the world. And it’ll have to act with the discipline that so often eluded the U.S. during its lazy post–Cold War dominance.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/united-states-needs-new-foreign-policy/614110/
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https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/07/united-states-needs-new-foreign-policy/614110/
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Lloyd Austin's as Defense Secretary has become third career military official to serve civilian held position, following James Mattis in 2016 and George Marshall in 1950. Being the retired four-star General who has served for more than four decades in the US Military;
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![Lloyd Austin's as Defense Secretary has become third career military official to serve civilian held position, following James Mattis in 2016 and George Marshall in 1950. Being the retired four-star General who has served for more than four decades in the US Military;[5]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsayuDTXMAIDWN2.png "Lloyd Austin's as Defense Secretary has become third career military official to serve civilian held position, following James Mattis in 2016 and George Marshall in 1950. Being the retired four-star General who has served for more than four decades in the US Military;[5]")
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oversaw US military strategy concerning IS and commanded U.S. Central Command, Lloyd Austin after retiring in 2016 still has active service mates in Pentagon who see withdrawal of forces from Middle East in terms of clearing out a space for IS
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![oversaw US military strategy concerning IS and commanded U.S. Central Command, Lloyd Austin after retiring in 2016 still has active service mates in Pentagon who see withdrawal of forces from Middle East in terms of clearing out a space for IS[6]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsazKcTXAAI0tJM.png "oversaw US military strategy concerning IS and commanded U.S. Central Command, Lloyd Austin after retiring in 2016 still has active service mates in Pentagon who see withdrawal of forces from Middle East in terms of clearing out a space for IS[6]")
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which makes military withdrawal from Afghanistan a tricky case.
National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne reported, Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan while speaking to his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, "made clear the United States' intention to review" the deal.
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![which makes military withdrawal from Afghanistan a tricky case.National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne reported, Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan while speaking to his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, "made clear the United States' intention to review" the deal.[7]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esaz02jW4AAMRMZ.png "which makes military withdrawal from Afghanistan a tricky case.National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne reported, Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan while speaking to his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, \"made clear the United States' intention to review\" the deal.[7]")
![which makes military withdrawal from Afghanistan a tricky case.National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne reported, Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan while speaking to his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, "made clear the United States' intention to review" the deal.[7]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esaz-oLXAAABacA.png "which makes military withdrawal from Afghanistan a tricky case.National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne reported, Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan while speaking to his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, \"made clear the United States' intention to review\" the deal.[7]")
National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne reported, Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan while speaking to his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib, "made clear the United States' intention to review" the deal.
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The Deal; as per Doha accord, US has to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by May 2021 and Taliban must not allow extremists to operate from Afghanistan
Horne further said, "Mr. Sullivan underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional
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![The Deal; as per Doha accord, US has to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by May 2021 and Taliban must not allow extremists to operate from AfghanistanHorne further said, "Mr. Sullivan underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional [8]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa0q9FXEAAEd9V.jpg "The Deal; as per Doha accord, US has to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by May 2021 and Taliban must not allow extremists to operate from AfghanistanHorne further said, \"Mr. Sullivan underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional [8]")
Horne further said, "Mr. Sullivan underscored that the US will support the peace process with a robust and regional
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diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire," and confirmed that Sullivan has also discussed US support to protect the "extraordinary gains" made by Afghan women and girls.
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![diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire," and confirmed that Sullivan has also discussed US support to protect the "extraordinary gains" made by Afghan women and girls.[9]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa0dZAXYAESy83.jpg "diplomatic effort, which will aim to help the two sides achieve a durable and just political settlement and permanent ceasefire,\" and confirmed that Sullivan has also discussed US support to protect the \"extraordinary gains\" made by Afghan women and girls.[9]")
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In this regard, Jan 15th interview by @AmrullahSaleh2 with @BBCWorld is significant, he says,
“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”
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![In this regard, Jan 15th interview by @AmrullahSaleh2 with @BBCWorld is significant, he says,“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”[10]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa1RMXXIAI-sot.jpg "In this regard, Jan 15th interview by @AmrullahSaleh2 with @BBCWorld is significant, he says,“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”[10]")
![In this regard, Jan 15th interview by @AmrullahSaleh2 with @BBCWorld is significant, he says,“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”[10]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa1WaeXcAENcoJ.jpg "In this regard, Jan 15th interview by @AmrullahSaleh2 with @BBCWorld is significant, he says,“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”[10]")
![In this regard, Jan 15th interview by @AmrullahSaleh2 with @BBCWorld is significant, he says,“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”[10]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa1WacXIAUdOKp.jpg "In this regard, Jan 15th interview by @AmrullahSaleh2 with @BBCWorld is significant, he says,“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”[10]")
“the American mission, which began 20 years ago, is not yet accomplished. Last year @POTUS45 made a peace deal with the Taliban and agreed to drastically reduce US troops.”
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@BBCWorld further adds that Afghan VP @AmrullahSaleh2 says, US talks with the Taliban were not a mistake in themselves, but that Mr. Trump's administration made an error in giving the group a "massive concession".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55666152
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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55666152
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Sullivan’s statement regarding “US intention to review” can be considered in view of the nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55775522
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![Sullivan’s statement regarding “US intention to review” can be considered in view of the nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55775522[12]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa19UxXEAESRzc.jpg "Sullivan’s statement regarding “US intention to review” can be considered in view of the nomination of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55775522[12]")
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55775522
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Blinken has served as Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President from 2009 – 2013.
In this role, he has assisted to craft US policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan in addition to Iran’s nuclear program.
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![Blinken has served as Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President from 2009 – 2013.In this role, he has assisted to craft US policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan in addition to Iran’s nuclear program.[13]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa2844WMAM1alM.jpg "Blinken has served as Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President from 2009 – 2013.In this role, he has assisted to craft US policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan in addition to Iran’s nuclear program.[13]")
In this role, he has assisted to craft US policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan in addition to Iran’s nuclear program.
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Therefore, if Blinken’s nomination is seen as a departure from Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy, it makes perfect sense as Blinken has always advocated the essentiality of the US role in the management of foreign conflicts.
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![Therefore, if Blinken’s nomination is seen as a departure from Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy, it makes perfect sense as Blinken has always advocated the essentiality of the US role in the management of foreign conflicts.[14]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa33byW4AAFUlq.png "Therefore, if Blinken’s nomination is seen as a departure from Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy, it makes perfect sense as Blinken has always advocated the essentiality of the US role in the management of foreign conflicts.[14]")
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This can also be seen in view of President Biden’s interview on Feb 23rd on ‘Face the Nation’, in which he said, the United States should maintain a “very small” counterterrorism footprint dedicated to preventing the resurgence of al Qaeda and the Islamic State, or ISIS.
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![This can also be seen in view of President Biden’s interview on Feb 23rd on ‘Face the Nation’, in which he said, the United States should maintain a “very small” counterterrorism footprint dedicated to preventing the resurgence of al Qaeda and the Islamic State, or ISIS. [15]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa5XCVWMAM9fy_.jpg "This can also be seen in view of President Biden’s interview on Feb 23rd on ‘Face the Nation’, in which he said, the United States should maintain a “very small” counterterrorism footprint dedicated to preventing the resurgence of al Qaeda and the Islamic State, or ISIS. [15]")
![This can also be seen in view of President Biden’s interview on Feb 23rd on ‘Face the Nation’, in which he said, the United States should maintain a “very small” counterterrorism footprint dedicated to preventing the resurgence of al Qaeda and the Islamic State, or ISIS. [15]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa5bXAXYAAoyIh.png "This can also be seen in view of President Biden’s interview on Feb 23rd on ‘Face the Nation’, in which he said, the United States should maintain a “very small” counterterrorism footprint dedicated to preventing the resurgence of al Qaeda and the Islamic State, or ISIS. [15]")
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Hence, Biden administration can consider staying in Afghanistan; short-term, by prolonging the withdrawal, & long-term, if not militarily, INGOs in general & @USAID in particular appear to be the key players to be working for US strategic concerns.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-joe-biden-on-face-the-nation-february-23-2020/
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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-joe-biden-on-face-the-nation-february-23-2020/
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Besides, Biden nominates former UN Ambassador Samantha Power as administrator USAID; as administrator USAID, she will also serve as a member of the National Security Council (NSC)
https://www.cfr.org/blog/transition-2021-what-can-biden-get-done
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https://www.cfr.org/blog/transition-2021-what-can-biden-get-done
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The most significant appointment will be of Anne Neuberger to the NSC as the first deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technologies. She has been with NSC for a decade and became NSA’s first director of cyber-security in 2019.
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![The most significant appointment will be of Anne Neuberger to the NSC as the first deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technologies. She has been with NSC for a decade and became NSA’s first director of cyber-security in 2019. [18]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa6wxdXYAM_kno.jpg "The most significant appointment will be of Anne Neuberger to the NSC as the first deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technologies. She has been with NSC for a decade and became NSA’s first director of cyber-security in 2019. [18]")
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Neuberger's the one who ran the Russia Small Group, which mounted a pre-emptive strike on the Kremlin’s cyberactors during 2018 midterm elections.
She's the grandchild of Holocaust survivors; her family came to Brooklyn after the failed Hungarian revolution in the 1950s.
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![Neuberger's the one who ran the Russia Small Group, which mounted a pre-emptive strike on the Kremlin’s cyberactors during 2018 midterm elections.She's the grandchild of Holocaust survivors; her family came to Brooklyn after the failed Hungarian revolution in the 1950s. [19]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa7pkeXEAUFR0q.png "Neuberger's the one who ran the Russia Small Group, which mounted a pre-emptive strike on the Kremlin’s cyberactors during 2018 midterm elections.She's the grandchild of Holocaust survivors; her family came to Brooklyn after the failed Hungarian revolution in the 1950s. [19]")
She's the grandchild of Holocaust survivors; her family came to Brooklyn after the failed Hungarian revolution in the 1950s.
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During her career at NSA, Anne Neuberger was the first chief risk officer and led the election security effort. Also, she works closely with Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, the director of the agency and commander of United States Cyber Command.
[20] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/us/politics/biden-homeland-security-cybersecurity.html
[20] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/us/politics/biden-homeland-security-cybersecurity.html
Considering all these nominations, Doha accord and South Asian geopolitics as a result of Biden administration’s foreign policy and strategic choices, 2021 in general and the first 100 days of Biden administration appear quite challenging.
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![Considering all these nominations, Doha accord and South Asian geopolitics as a result of Biden administration’s foreign policy and strategic choices, 2021 in general and the first 100 days of Biden administration appear quite challenging. [21]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa82RSXIAAwwJu.jpg "Considering all these nominations, Doha accord and South Asian geopolitics as a result of Biden administration’s foreign policy and strategic choices, 2021 in general and the first 100 days of Biden administration appear quite challenging. [21]")
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As concerns Pakistan’s role as a regional player, SAPM Dr. @YusufMoeed conversation with Wilson Center on U.S.-Pakistan Relations in the Biden Era is significant.
He says,
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![As concerns Pakistan’s role as a regional player, SAPM Dr. @YusufMoeed conversation with Wilson Center on U.S.-Pakistan Relations in the Biden Era is significant. He says,[22]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa9aGcWMAE1kIT.png "As concerns Pakistan’s role as a regional player, SAPM Dr. @YusufMoeed conversation with Wilson Center on U.S.-Pakistan Relations in the Biden Era is significant. He says,[22]")
He says,
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“Pakistan is talking about becoming a geo-economic melting pot that is ready to consolidate global positive interest in our territory. We are talking about providing the world with economic-bases, not military-bases,”
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/us-pakistan-relations-biden-era-conversation-moeed-yusuf
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https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/us-pakistan-relations-biden-era-conversation-moeed-yusuf
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Moreover, FM @SMQureshiPTI also called on the US not to view Pakistan’s close ties with China – an economic and political rival to the US – as a “zero-sum game”.
“They [the US] should come, compete and invest.”
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![Moreover, FM @SMQureshiPTI also called on the US not to view Pakistan’s close ties with China – an economic and political rival to the US – as a “zero-sum game”.“They [the US] should come, compete and invest.”[24]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa-b4wW8AMzeat.png "Moreover, FM @SMQureshiPTI also called on the US not to view Pakistan’s close ties with China – an economic and political rival to the US – as a “zero-sum game”.“They [the US] should come, compete and invest.”[24]")
“They [the US] should come, compete and invest.”
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He added, Pakistan was willing to act as a mediator between China and the US, a role it played in 1972 when it facilitated talks to set up an historic visit to Beijing by then-President Richard Nixon.
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![He added, Pakistan was willing to act as a mediator between China and the US, a role it played in 1972 when it facilitated talks to set up an historic visit to Beijing by then-President Richard Nixon.[25]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Esa-13nXUAIZHPW.png "He added, Pakistan was willing to act as a mediator between China and the US, a role it played in 1972 when it facilitated talks to set up an historic visit to Beijing by then-President Richard Nixon.[25]")
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“Pakistan traditionally has had the opportunity and has built bridges between the two. In this environment, where there is a change … Pakistan can be a bridge-builder.”
[26] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/21/pakistan-calls-for-us-to-stay-course-on-afghan-peace-talks
[26] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/21/pakistan-calls-for-us-to-stay-course-on-afghan-peace-talks
Afghan Deal will likely be the litmus test for the Biden Administration which will be influencing South Asian geopolitics; policy initiatives over US apprehensions concerning CPEC/BRI will either contribute to regional stability or will further antagonize the regional players.
