The US-Pakistani relationship is fast deteriorating. In May, I argued that unless
President Asif Ali Zardari took decisive action against the ISI, the country’s military would
continue to undermine relations with the West. Last week, the New York Times reached the
same conclusion, calling for the removal of Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha. As President Zardari did nothing — probably fearing a military coup if he did act — the situation
has merely been aggravated.
What’s more, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that the US could suspend military aid to Pakistan unless it took unspecified steps to help find and fight terrorists. And the White House has since confirmed that it is doing just that. In William Daley’s words:
“They’ve taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid which we’re giving to the military, and we’re trying to work through that.”
In truth, some of the aid to Pakistan, like night-vision goggles, radios and helicopter spare parts, cannot be sent because Pakistan has denied visas to the American trainers needed to deliver and install the equipment.
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