Washington, D.C., December 23, 2025 — Nestpoint Managing Director John Thomas offered a measured assessment of Pakistan’s renewed courtship of the Trump administration, weighing the strategic opportunities against the long-term security and geopolitical risks highlighted in a recent report by The New York Sun.
The article outlines Islamabad’s efforts to reestablish itself as a preferred U.S. partner through cooperation on counterterrorism, access to critical minerals, and engagement in cryptocurrency initiatives tied to American investors. While these overtures have succeeded in restoring high-level access in Washington, Thomas cautioned that tactical cooperation should not be mistaken for durable structural change.
Commenting on Pakistan’s touted mineral reserves—particularly rare earth elements seen as an alternative to Chinese supply chains—Thomas warned that instability in Balochistan poses a serious obstacle to reliable delivery. “Balochistan is a powder keg with separatist attacks on mines and convoys spiking this year, turning trillion-dollar hype into a security nightmare,” Thomas said. He added that while Pakistan’s military may secure sites in the near term, sustained unrest could leave U.S. expectations unmet.
Thomas also addressed skepticism surrounding Pakistan’s counterterrorism posture, noting that recent cooperation has been selective and pressure-driven. “I don’t believe they have over the long run,” he said of claims that Islamabad has fundamentally altered its behavior. “It’ll require the U.S. to remain vigilant and keep a stick in their back pocket.”
Beyond security concerns, Thomas highlighted the strategic tension created by Pakistan’s deep economic alignment with China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. While acknowledging the Trump administration’s effort to weaken Beijing’s dominance in critical minerals, he cautioned that overreliance on Pakistan risks unintended consequences. “Trump’s right to grab resources from under China’s nose,” Thomas noted, “but Pakistan’s deep CPEC ties mean we’re feeding the hand that bites us.”
Taken together, Thomas framed Pakistan’s renewed access to Washington as largely transactional and personality-driven, raising questions about its sustainability beyond the current administration. His analysis reflects Nestpoint’s broader expertise in evaluating geopolitical realignments where short-term gains may obscure longer-term strategic exposure.
The original article, “Pakistan Offers Platter of Incentives to Get in Trump’s Good Graces,” was published by The New York Sun on December 23, 2025.
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Nestpoint, with a global footprint and a formidable presence in Washington, D.C., is a leading government affairs, finance, and private equity firm. As a strategic ally, Nestpoint transforms challenges into opportunities through its expertise in policy influence, global networks, and financial innovation, delivering customized solutions for sustained client success. Nestpoint advises multibillion-dollar companies in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors as well as foreign nations.
