There is little doubt that the latest round of strategic dialogue between the US and Pakistan will produce a document proclaiming unity and alliance as the two nations battle insurgency and the Taliban. There is likely to be plenty of doubt as to the validity of the proclamation. The US has long looked to Pakistan as a major ally in its fight against the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan. With the ascendance of Musharraf to the Pakistani presidency, the US began to pour money into Pakistan in exchange for promised support from the Pakistani government in the fight against radical elements. Exactly what that money has accomplished is difficult to see. There have been periodic engagements between Pakistani forces and Taliban forces in the general vicinity of the Afghan border. The extremist takeover of the Swat Valley was also mitigated by Pakistani involvement. The US has also stepped up drone raids on Pakistani territory, at times accomplishing its ends of eliminating terrorists while at others provoking the ire of the Pakistani people as they killed innocent civilians. The Pakistani government, in large part now beholden to the US, did little to condemn the attacks. Despite the sharp differences, there is little to indicate that any significant shift in the relationship is in the making. There are those in Washington who would like to see Pakistan categorized as an enemy state, given the minimal progress against the Taliban despite the enormous amount of US money pouring into the country. Speculation is that the US has promised even more money and a security pact with Pakistan based on Pakistani activity against Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements in North Waziristan. Although that may seem like a new chapter in relations, it is truly more of a continuation of the status quo. Will the Pakistanis do what is necessary to secure the agreement? Will a US security pact help Pakistan's military or simply provoke further insurgency? The more things change, the more they stay the same. __
