News - Rising Missile Concerns: Pakistan's Potential Threat to the US Homeland

In a comprehensive assessment of global security threats, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has raised concerns about Pakistan's advancing missile capabilities, labeling them a potential threat to US national security. This commentary was part of the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment Report presented to the US Senate Intelligence Committee, highlighting countries like Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan. These nations have made strides in developing missile delivery systems with both nuclear and conventional payloads that could potentially target US soil. Gabbard emphasized the potential extent of this threat by discussing the possibility of Pakistan advancing long-range ballistic missiles that could reach ICBM status, threatening US territories directly. The projection put forth by Gabbard anticipates a substantial increase in collective threats, estimating a surge from over 3,000 to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035—ushering in a new era of heightened security challenges for the United States. Expert analysis from Washington-based scholar Shuja Nawaz points to the Biden administration's concerns about Pakistan, evidenced by imposed sanctions and attempts to restrict technology acquisitions that might bolster Islamabad’s missile capacity. This scrutinized relationship continues the historical ebb and flow of US-Pakistan dynamics, a rapport that has evolved dramatically since the Cold War when Pakistan aligned with many US-led initiatives, including SEATO and CENTO. Although recognized as a major non-NATO ally by the US in 2004, allegations of Pakistan's support for the Afghanistan Taliban throughout the early 21st century strained ties, hindering cooperative efforts until at least 2021. Despite this rocky past, recent developments have seen Pakistan align with US international efforts, such as Donald Trump's Board of Peace aimed at Gaza's postwar reconstruction. Complicating the US-Pakistan relationship further, Pakistan maintains strong bilateral ties with China. It is deeply engaged in China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative and is an active member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)—each serving to underscore Islamabad's strategic pivot towards the East, potentially sidelining Washington in broader South Asian geopolitical interests.