Pakistan pivots toward Putin's Russia after Trump gets tough
Nuclear-armed Pakistan is embracing Cold War-foe Russia amid unraveling ties with Washington. The blossoming of Pakistan-Russia relations has partially been a response to the Trump administrations increasing closeness with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in arch-rival India. India has traditionally been Russias main South Asian partner.
Kamal Alam, a Pakistan and Middle East expert at Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank, said the Trump administrations approach was viewed as a source of frustration in Islamabad. Alam added that Pakistan's powerful military appeared to have "had enough of Americas blackmailing, threats and blockage of sales."
With the Indians and the U.S. getting closer, the Russians have found space to break away ... and begin to exercise a little more freedom with countries like Pakistan, said Chaudhry, the retired air marshal who previously served as Pakistani ambassador to Sri Lanka.
Chaudhry believes the perceived U.S. retreat is creating space for other countries including China, Iran and Turkey to also gain influence in the region.
(The U.S. under Trump is losing influence around the world)
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pakistan-pivots-toward-putin-s-russia-after-trump-gets-tough-n901536