Bill Overview
Title: Stopping Pakistani Terror Act
Description: This bill designates Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism. (A country with this designation is subject to certain restrictions, including a ban on receiving U.S. defense exports and limits on receiving U.S. foreign assistance.)
Sponsors: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
Target Audience
Population: People living in Pakistan and those involved in U.S.-Pakistan relations
Estimated Size: 1500000
- The designation of Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism could strain diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the United States, affecting diplomatic and expatriate communities.
- Restrictions on receiving U.S. defense exports could impact the Pakistani military and any industries connected to defense supplies.
- Limits on U.S. foreign assistance could affect Pakistani citizens who benefit from U.S.-funded programs in health, education, and infrastructure.
- The bill could impact U.S. businesses involved in trade with Pakistan if additional trade restrictions are imposed.
- The geopolitical stability in the region could be affected, influencing the populations of surrounding countries and international relations.
Reasoning
- Consideration for Pakistani Americans, who are a sizable community in the U.S., was crucial as they might feel the impact of strained diplomatic relations.
- Financial budgets constrain potential direct impacts on individuals, meaning we might only see minor increases or decreases in wellbeing scores, particularly for those not directly involved in military or diplomatic positions.
- U.S. businesses with ties to Pakistan might face indirect impacts due to potential changes in trade relations, affecting well-being through business uncertainty.
- The diversity in perspectives—from military personnel to civilians with Pakistani ties—necessitates acknowledging minimal but diverse impacts depending on the individual's connection to the policy issues.
Simulated Interviews
Business Owner (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about the impact this policy might have on my business. If new trade restrictions follow, it could complicate our supply chain and increase costs.
- The potential strain on U.S.-Pakistan relations worries me as it might cause division within the local Pakistani community here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Software Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy could negatively affect cultural exchanges that enhance understanding between communities.
- Personally, I might not feel the impact immediately, but my parents worry about the larger implications for family and friends back home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Diplomat (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Designating Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism will certainly complicate diplomacy efforts and could heighten tensions.
- Security concerns are likely to rise, impacting our daily operations and personal safety while in the region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Military Personnel (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This designation could lead to changes in military strategy and operations on the ground.
- I anticipate that there will be increased diplomatic discussions, possibly affecting our missions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
University Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that our travel plans might be heavily affected by this new designation and the subsequent implications it may have on tourism and security.
- As a student of international relations, I find it fascinating yet concerning how this could change our discussions in class and influence future U.S. foreign policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired Diplomat (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The impact of this designation could be far-reaching beyond immediate foreign aid and defense concerns, influencing attitudes in international relations.
- Our community in San Francisco may experience divisions or tensions influenced by broader geopolitical views.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My company might face logistical hurdles if trade or data exchange is inhibited under this policy.
- This policy needs to be carefully managed to avoid further disrupting economic ties or sparking industry uncertainty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Non-profit Director (Boston, MA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Limits on U.S. foreign assistance could severely impact our education initiatives in Pakistan, affecting thousands of students we work with.
- This policy might also influence the donor attitudes, affecting funding and support for our programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Academic Researcher (Miami, FL)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could become a new paradigm in my research, providing a wealth of new data but also potentially complicating fieldwork in Pakistan.
- Academically, it offers challenges and opportunities, but personally, I worry about access to resources and collaborations with Pakistani scholars.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Taxi Driver (Newark, NJ)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure how this policy will affect me directly, but I'm cautious about the potential fallout on family abroad.
- Anything that affects U.S.-Pakistan relations could make sending money home more difficult if restrictions increase.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $75000000)
Year 2: $58000000 (Low: $43000000, High: $73000000)
Year 3: $56000000 (Low: $41000000, High: $71000000)
Year 5: $54000000 (Low: $39000000, High: $69000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $65000000)
Year 100: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Key Considerations
- Designation as a state sponsor of terrorism carries significant diplomatic ramifications that could affect U.S. foreign policy strategies.
- The potential for increased hostilities or tensions necessitates readiness for enhanced security measures.
- Analysis of economic repercussions on both U.S. and Pakistani markets affected by trade and aid restrictions.
- The humanitarian impact on civilians in Pakistan and the requirement for careful oversight to mitigate unintended consequences.