Why American presidents always prefer Pakistan’s generals over civilians

Why do American presidents prefer Pakistan’s Army chiefs over civilians? Mohammed Hanif in Time Magazine reveals the history behind Washington’s trust in strongmen.

By Mohammed Hanif, published in Time Magazine — 4 Sept 2025

In global politics, Pakistan’s generals have often found a warmer welcome in Washington than their civilian counterparts. In Time Magazine, Mohammed Hanif revisits this pattern and places current Army Chief Asim Munir at the center of America’s enduring fascination with Pakistani strongmen.

From Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s friendship with U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s to General Pervez Musharraf’s alliance with George W. Bush after 9/11, American leaders have historically preferred dealing directly with Pakistan’s military rulers. For Washington, they offered stability, decisiveness, and the ability to deliver quickly on strategic promises—whether granting airbases during the Cold War, supporting the Afghan jihad in the 1980s, or joining the “war on terror” in the 2000s.

Asim Munir, elevated to Field Marshal after clashes with India, continues that tradition without even staging a coup. In an unprecedented move, he became the first Pakistani Army Chief to be hosted at an official White House lunch, where President Donald Trump praised him as a “trusted partner.” Pakistan even nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize—symbolizing the deepening military-to-military bond.

At home, however, Munir faces mounting criticism. After sidelining popular leader Imran Khan and tightening the military’s grip on politics, his institution’s credibility has plunged. Social media erupts in ridicule whenever the army’s PR wing makes even routine statements, reflecting unprecedented public resentment. Yet for Washington, Munir remains the reliable figure—capable of handing over militants, securing cooperation in Afghanistan, and maintaining control in Pakistan’s turbulent political landscape.

As Hanif notes, this cycle is not new. Civilian governments struggle to maintain U.S. ties, but American presidents repeatedly turn back to Pakistan’s generals. The relationship often looks like friendship but functions more like transactional dependency: a general delivers strategic favors, and America provides political legitimacy.

For Pakistanis, however, this bond has rarely ended well. Decades of U.S.-military cooperation have brought wars, economic crises, and rising anti-American sentiment. With Asim Munir now cast in a familiar role, the question remains: is Washington once again betting on the wrong ally?

This article is an adapted extract from Mohammed Hanif’s original piece published in Time Magazine.