April 23, 2014. Religion, politics, and policy are inextricably linked in Pakistan, and together tied to Pakistan's relationship with the United States. Pakistan embarked on its first democratic transition of power last year. The success of this experiment will hinge on how well Islamic parties-who are showing their strength within the political landscape-can contribute to civilian rule, shun violence, and mobilize support for political reform. However, these parties are diverse in their policy goals and political intentions and cannot be painted with a broad brush, as often occurs in the United States. Dr. Haroon Ullah provided a look at the rise of political Islam in Pakistan and in the Arab Spring and how understanding these internal dynamics can help shape better bilateral relations.