New Pakistan army chief will not alter security policy

Subject

Military leadership transition -- and its impact on security policy.

Significance

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif is scheduled to retire on November 30 after completing his three-year term. He has thus far ruled out seeking an extension, unlike his predecessor Ashfaq Parvez Kayani whose tenure was extended by three years to 2013.

Impacts

• The military's morale will suffer if Raheel seeks an extension.
• Pakistan-China ties will continue to strengthen under the next chief.
• He will also build on recent counterinsurgency gains in Karachi and tribal areas.