On Wednesday, 18^th February, 2026, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi delivered an online lecture on “Overview of Pakistan’s Relations with USA and the Changing Dynamics” to the participants of the 39^th Senior Management Course (SMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore.

Dr. Lodhi outlined key features of the prevailing geopolitical landscape. First, President Trump’s second term is marked by his aversion to multilateralism and drive to “Make America Great Again.” Second, economic power has shifted “from the West to the rest”. Third, an intensified confrontation between the USA and China. Fourth, the collapse of the rule-based world order and blatant disregard of international law. Fifth, digital technologies are reshaping global politics. Sixth, the rising role of middle powers complicates global alignments.

Dr. Lodhi traced the cyclical nature of Pak-USA ties, which fluctuates from estrangement to benign engagement. She said that Washington has usually viewed Islamabad through a transactional lens. A key feature of the current warmth in Pak-USA ties under President Trump is mutual praise and an increased role for Pakistan as a partner in Afghanistan, as well as in the Middle East.

Dr. Lodhi concluded that the future trajectory of Pak-USA relations will be largely determined by Pakistan’s relationship with China, Washington’s ties with India, Sino-USA confrontation, the evolving situation in Afghanistan, and, most importantly, Pakistan’s own domestic political and economic trajectory.

The lecture was followed by an intensive Q&A session.