Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Sean — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:03:58 GMT

Our government sure picks some strange friends. Buddies one year, 'evildoers' the next year. It's like watching a tennis match.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Stanley, Chicago, IL — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:36:14 GMT

PAkistan has always been the source of terrorism in the modern world - check the history pages for last 20 years to see where the top terror camps are located! They are using Kashmir as an excuse to bluff the world into believing that they are a good nation, but now the world is beginning to see their bluff and they will unravel soon.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Paul, New York, NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:08:14 GMT

The US has never considered Pakistan a friend. They need to use their land and airspace to conduct some of their operations and so are willing to give the impression of friendship to get access. This is unfortunate because it allows unfriendly elements to continue to grow unpunished within pakistan.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Aamir Ali, Knoxville,TN — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:08:52 GMT

Stanley: The terror camps will be found in Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere. The only terror camps in Pakistan exist in the Indian imagination. Regarding US-Pakistan relations, America has always used and disposed of Pakistan. Pakistanis have been too stupid to realize that.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jacob,Hardford,CT — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:11:43 GMT

If its not for Pakistan we would have got Bin Laden long back, the govt. of pakistan has all these links and by all reports it seems the information is easily getting to Al_Qaida before anybody else. I agree this nation is been the centre for terrarists all over the world.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Scott Barger — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:15:35 GMT

And if they unravel, what will become of the nukes?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Uxaf — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:18:51 GMT

Stanley , with very due respect could you pour some light on your knowledge about kashmir issue and i'ts history prior and after 1947 ?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Shahab, Chicago, IL — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:20:34 GMT

Whatz all about this? Z.A. Bhutto, Indra Gandhi, Rajeev Gandhi, Najeeb, Murtaza Bhutto and Saddam were killed directly or indirectly (Cookup by Kangroo Courts)Then a Trible leader of Pakistan Nawab Akber Bugti killed by Pak Army on the instructions of thier US Masters. Cann't those people be offered a good investment for thier country/community to bow before US/US interests instead of killing those Good Politicians/People of Principles.? IS THE PETROLIUM PIPE LINE COMMING THROUGH AFGHANISTAN TO GWADER PORT SO IMMPORTANT TO KILL THESE PEOPLE? AND WHEN IRAN'S TURN IS COMMING? IT IS THE ONLY COUNTRY LEFT BEHIND WITHOUT PUNISHMENT?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Waqar Khan — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:22:15 GMT

Pakistan is Not a source of terrorism. Pakistan help fight with terrorism all the time. What you are seeing is the result of the Afghan-Russia war. Pakistan received millions of Afghanis as a refugee and help fight Afghans to liberate their country from Russia (U.S.S.R). After winning the war with Russia, West simply left Afghanistan. Pakistan was left alone to deal with all the problems on its own. Obviuosly, they could not do it. They did not have resources. The current govt. is working hard to control all this. Pakistan has lost more soldiers on Afghan-Pakistan border than any other country in the world. As far as Kashmir is concerned, please look into all the U.N. resolutions passed against India on Kashmir. You will see who is right and who is wrong. I am also amazed by seeing only negative things about Pakistan in the news all the time. There are so many positive things are going on in Pakistan. The economy is on the roll for the past 5 years, but no one mentions this. Pakistan wants to be a developed nation and they are working hard. U.S. must support Pakistan in accomplishing this. I honestly think that Pakistan can be a bridge between West and the rest of the Islamic world.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Mike Magarian, Dexter MO — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:24:04 GMT

LOL friends? just like we backed the taliban while Russia was fighting with them.......then we turn around and go to war with the taliban and fighting our own old outdated weapons, at least we can say we knew what we were up against....

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Sadie, Kuwait city, Kuwait — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:24:10 GMT

American government has always made friends with governments that can easily be turned into scapegoats when the time is right. Administration polls are going down so that equates to President Musharraf "isn't doing enough". Things are heading south in Iraq so the Maliki government is on "borrowed time". Other countries shouldn't dare consider their georaphical realities and should do what American administration wants so that they can play superman to their people.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Joe B. — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:25:40 GMT

When will people realize that Pakistan is not a friend of the US. Their actions speak louder than words when it comes to making "deals" with militants and the shielding of their borders from NATO troops. The only reason they are mildly cooperating in some respects is out of fear of the destabilization of their own county and government.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Chris Lihou, Arlington, VA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:28:12 GMT

Facts: A few hundred mega-rich families control Pakistan, and funnel vast amounts of public money into their own pockets. As a result, the only education most poor peasants can afford for their children is provided free by the fundamentalist "madrassahs," which are funded by OUR "friends" the Saudis, with the money we spend to fill up our SUV's. This is where Pakistani terrorism and friendship towards terrorists originates. Musharraf is walking a fine line between (a) those Islamists who would like to kill him and control Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, and (b) the demands of the US and the West that he control the fundamentalists. Fellow Americans: Anything you object to here, blame the greed of Pakistan's rich classes, and your own fondness for driving gas guzzlers.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Ray, Stockton, CA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:28:17 GMT

yes, of course paksitan has been blamed for all this mess around the world but has any one checked the history behind it. when Russia was kicked out by the afghanis and with the help of U.S and pakistan, the world should have never left Afghanistan in the hands of warlords and drug dealers. There are 3 million afghanis living in pakistan. Pakistan has lost 700 soldiers in fight against terrorism but no one knows about it or care about it. pakistan has captured and handed over more al Qaida and Taliban memebers to U.S. then any other country on the face of this earth. There has been at least 4 suicide attemps on the life of President Musharaf. Just a few months ago, in a suicide bomb blast, 45 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives. PAKISTAN can not perform miracles. Its doing more then its capacity against war on terrorism.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Clive L Grafton, Whittier, California — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:33:51 GMT

Well, we have alienated two-thirds of the world, why not try for 100%. Perhaps Andorra and Lichenstein will stay with us.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Chad, GF, ND — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:37:01 GMT

Many articles have been writing regarding the support some of the people in Pakistan's Military have and do give thugs like Al Qeuda and the Taliban. If this is going on how can we really trust our Pakistani friends.This part of the world speaking out of both sides of your mouth is common.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

sunder , san jose ca — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:40:15 GMT

With the political situation in Pakistan so unstable (well it was never stable, now its a bit more unstable!) I guess Pakistan is secretly re-evaluating its stance... Part of the problem with Pakistan and many countries in that region is they have one public policy and one secretive policy

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Sam, clevland, ohio — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:41:33 GMT

Pakistan has aways been a source of terrorism and training camps.Many of Al-qeada terrorists who were caught have given statements that at one point they have been in Pakistanfor training. United States should immediately ask Pakistan to dismantle all its terrorist camps.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

PERRY HONEYCUTT — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:42:44 GMT

BOMB THEM 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK AND IT WILL BE ALL OVER IN 45 DAYS.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

miami,fl — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:47:02 GMT

Your country is teh biggest terrorist State in the world,bunch of thieves

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John, Phoenix, AZ. — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:48:54 GMT

Pakistan is a key friend in war against terror. What we really need to do is help bring democracy back in Pakistan by withdrawing support for a Dictator and resolving Kashmir dispute issue by giving freedom to People of Kashmir and giving them right to choose. Hopefully we will do the same because We the people of United States has always stood for freedom and democracy.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Khawar, Chicago, IL — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:50:50 GMT

Pakistanis were still trying to clean up their country of guns, drugs and a flock of refugees from the Russian occupation of Afghanistan. With the latest U.S invasion these things are headed right back into their country with the addition of Al-Qeada terrorists. Pakistanis are doing everything they possibly can to help the U.S in Afghansitan, but sadly most of us don't appriciate their efforts.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Nick Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:53:56 GMT

For an excellent picture of Pakistan's "friendship", please watch the Google video: 911 Press for Truth

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Chandru Narayan/Oregon — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:56:49 GMT

When Pakistan was severed from India it was a failed state to begin with. Pakistan has never had stable democracy, it has always comingled its religion with astute rule. Now with the population that has grown beyond economic opportunities the masses have taken up religion as a comfort zone, now they blame everyone else who has something. Islam does allow the forceful takeover of assets and humans, especially women from non-believers, so the mass does not see any crime being committed in stealing, looting, raping or generally low moral behaviour. Now we have more Afghanistan refugees who do not want to go back to Afghanistan, with lack of any education that can give them jobs that are in demand, they go to the local clerics who survive on spreading hate and anger. Such a phenomenon is true of most Islamic republics, unfortunately Pakistan seems to be the epicenter of terrorism.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Gulzar Rafiq — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:56:53 GMT

After world war, U.S is always been a source of Terrorism in the modern world and used Pakistan for his own agenda. U.S was to sell supplier of weapons and creation of madras has produced Taliban, whom can effectively fight against Soviet Union. Getting, the job done by Taliban it turns back and left Taliban in the war throne country. After 9/11 (no Taliban connection) start in pursue of killing them and Pakistan join hands in this war against humanity. They are fighting against an occupying force, which they always did in the past. Pakistan allow US U2 spy plan to fly over Soviet Union from Peshawar to gather data for US by putting his citizens in danger. There are many more favors which ignorant Americans do not know.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Amit, NY, NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:57:08 GMT

Pakistan is a failed state with nuclear weapons. There intelligence agencies gave birth to Taliban and outfits like Al-qaida. It's population is sympathetic to the jihadis. I wonder how long Musharraf can check the islamic hard line elements in his army? When he falls, Who controls those nukes?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Neil, NewYork, NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:57:16 GMT

You know what, I just heard the news that Reython is selling 400 sidewinder modern missiles to Pakis, great news, recently defense department signed a MOU to sell sophisticated military machinery to a rogue nation.Why american govt. supplies military hardware to a known,established,practising terror nation? Why? In that part of the world are they trying to quiet India, Nepal, China or Bagla Desh, Afghanistan who? India is the only modern country with strong democratic principles with a booming economy, China is "bedfellow" of Pakistan with a Commie govt. So why my govt is supplying a nation who has killed, funded to kill Americans all over the world. Is my govt, in cahouts with Pakis? Or is this a gimmick to hoodwink democracy loving Americans? What is it?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Owen — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:04:15 GMT

Interesting! Havent heard a peep out of Pakistan for a long time. Now everyone is wondering where they are and what they are doing? It makes you wonder what intentions they still have.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Gary, Arlington, VA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:05:20 GMT

The two countries that are resposible for the spread of Islamic terrorism in the world are - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Whereas the Saudis provided massive funds for the religious schools that indoctrinated men in the wahhabism ideology, Pakistan provided the real estate and an unending supply of recruits. It is no secret the Taliban was the creation of Pakistan Army which tried to rule Afghanistan through proxy. I feel the US should wise up to the idea that the Pakistan Army will never go after the Taliban completely and will use intermitent force against them to win brownie points from the west and leverage the unstable Afghan situation

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Rebah, VA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:06:28 GMT

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. Certainly, there are problems, but that doesn't mean they are purposely out there to stop terrorism. They don't want terrorism any more than the rest of the world. Unfortunately for them, it's very close and very real. They are in an unstable area and any action supporting U.S. forces could make them deemed a greater threat by other organizations or countries that are too self-focused. They have their own problems just as we have ours.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Usman Bin Ihsan, Lahore, Pakistan — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:07:03 GMT

Pakistan has been a target of the proxy wars of the major World powers like US and Russia for many years. The US always used it for its own interests and now if Pakisan wants its position to be used in its favour why people are worrying so much. Mr. Stanley has said that Pakistan is bluffing the world. Excuse me Sir! but just look at the character of US in Iraq , Afghanistan and Korea. Bluff is the name of the game when it comes to United States. Try to correct your records first before looking into the records of Pakistan.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Peter, Farmingdale, NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:07:18 GMT

The Pakistanis and Saudis are the source of terrorism in the world. If the powers of the world do not deal with this fact, then we will fighting a phony war.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

marc, new jersey — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:08:33 GMT

Pakistan plays both sides of the coin. Friends I dont think so, we should start bombing the border with Pakistan. Our troubles there would be over quickly.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

samson — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:08:41 GMT

Pakistan is mother of islamic terrorism... just look back their history... 'It was created in the name of jihad and its for the jihad, by the jihad and of the jihad....

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Ahmed Yusuf — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:10:05 GMT

I suggest you look at the history pages of the US in the last 20 years if you want to see support for terrorism. I'm not denying the record of Pakistan's military regime or the ISI, but I am saying that the US government has fabricated a bigger lie - that every military operation is purely in self-defense and/or has the altruistic aim of spreading democracy. Do you honestly think that a country which maintains over a hundred military bases in the world is doing it only to protect the world from itself? Further, if the US is so innocent compared to Pakistan, why did the CIA assist General Zia ul-Haqq in a coup against an elected leader, subsequently hanged; a dictator who introduced shariah into the constitution and supported the Mujahadeen in the Afghan civil war? And lastly, if we are to ask what the US should have done during the Cold War (for example, when the Soviet Union got involved in Afghanistan) I think it's only fair to ask what Pakistan should do now. Rather than condemn the whole country as evil, how about offer a solution.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

AB — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:11:31 GMT

Well Stanley, when the relationships are based on temporary goals and with a history of US leaving Pakistan in the middle after their goal is achieved, what else can you expect. One needs to engage poor countries on longterm basis to get rid of the source of discord. This all happened due to the sponsorship of the afghan war in the eighties and then when reconstruction was needed like the worldwar 2 in Europe, the western nations closed their eyes. The western world along with the Pakistanis are responsible for the mess that is there now in the region. Pashtuns needs representation as they are 60% of the population but are being led by other ethnic groups. There needs to be a broad based govt in afghanistan and not a puppet one to destroy the terrorist roots.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jack — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:11:37 GMT

Pakistan has been the epicentre of terrorism, they support it by calling them freedom fighters, its impossible for pakistan to stop, main reason being they invested too much time and money. They don't have schools all they have is religious propaganda about religion. They have no future.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Patrick, Louisville, KY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:14:30 GMT

Pakistan is a troubled nation right from its inception. Governed mostly by corrupt military regimes with the help of its intelligence service, majority, it finds itself orphanes since the United States abandoned it after the fall of the Soviet Union. Massive trade in illegal arms, drugs and human beings have made the elements of the ruling military and intelligence classes obscenely cash-rich, and a state within a state. This country is a world problem (nuclear power at that), and needs to be taken to task much before Iran and N. Korea.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Tom, Richmond VA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:15:16 GMT

Pakistan is a hotbed for terrorism. There needs to be reforms at the grassroot level in Pakistan. Not enough is being done by the current govt of Pakistan. We should not be trying to make Pakistan look good to the world!

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

kanth, chicago and IL — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:15:22 GMT

Pakistan is a state sponsor of terror. Even USA knows it, but keeps it eyes close as long as pakistan is on its side.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Carthell Granison — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:16:27 GMT

It is easier said to trust them than it can be done, and we must remember these people are linked by religion and culture. It is like fighting with your ally one minute in a different battle, and then in a battle later fighting against them. Pakistan history shows that they cannot be trusted and all demons reveal themselves eventually.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

umair — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:17:51 GMT

When you needed Pakistan for the cold war in the 60's to launch your U2 spy planes over the USSR (the only U2 that was shot down left a base in Pakistan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-2_Crisis_of_1960) or in the 80's to stop Afghanistan from becoming a satellite state so close to the precious Straight of Hormuz, then Pakistan and 'religious freedom fighters' are ok. One of our greatest Presidents, Ronald Reagan, gave the Afghani freedom fighters the Stinger missle and billions to get their freedom. Our interest and theirs were the same at the time. 10 years later they are hosting our enemies. Should we not have helped them? Would we have been better off letting the USSR have Afganistan? They would have left after their collapse anyways.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Pakistans friend — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:19:06 GMT

Pakistan has exported and used state sponserd terrorism as tool succesfully against its neighbours during course of its history with help of friendly countries. Now terrosits doesnt have permenant friends and will do anything to acheive their beliefs, so whole world is sitting and noticing when sponsorer and friend get hit by same snake they fed milk

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Mike, Toronto, Canada — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:20:55 GMT

Rather than pointing fingers at other countries if US government minds their own business and solve their own internal issues first before then maybe this world could become a more peaceful and safe place.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jhon Smith, Austin, TX — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:21:32 GMT

Well US and Pakistan collaborated in creating Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban. So it is no wonder that their own "child" is coming back to haunt them. The problem is in this general mindset that we can get away with creating such people/organizations and get away with them because they are directed towards others. If we create eveil, it WILL come back to haunt us one day. The guns we sell to other countries are the same guns that our kids use to kill each other in schools. Evil is Evil. It does not matter where it is directed at. It will consume everything. Islamic fundamentalism used by US and Pakistan and other countries to destabelize other countries is coming back to haunt us now. Let us learn from our mistakes... at least for once...

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:22:26 GMT

As the old adage goes, "When you lay with dogs, you'll wake up with fleas." That's exactly what's been going on with our so called friends.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Lee Faris — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:22:32 GMT

We in the West continue to believe that we and the Middle East think alike and are on the same wavelinks. Not so. No matter what the education level we are speaking to 12th Century metalities and tribal loyalties. They will do what they think they can get away with and nothing more. Share info that we must and nothing more. The Pakistanis are makig an effort but do not expect a great deal. Tribal loyalties have nothing to do with world presence.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Amjad, Sterling, VA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:22:34 GMT

Friendship is between two equals. Both countries have used each other for their own selfish reasons. Ben Ladin was deported to Afghanistan from Sudan at the urging of US, thus starting the chain of events which has brought us to this point of history.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jai Khosla — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:23:55 GMT

The USA should invade Pakistan and take control of wazirstan and kill all the terrorists. Pakistan was complicit in the 9/11 incident and is in cahoots with Al Qaeda and Taleban. They do enough so that the US wont get angry but are always cooperating with their Muslim terrorist brothers.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Pete Sanchez, Fowlerville, MI — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:24:58 GMT

My suggestion is to drop the BIG one on Pakistan, Iran, Afganistan and see how much more peaceful the world becomes then.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John Doe, Philaldelphia, PA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:25:27 GMT

Well its a bit unfair to look at it from wild perspectives. If you look closer Pakistan has gone after those elements on the northern borders with afghanistan and has lost hundreds of soldiers to roadside bombings. It then decided to pass intel to America who attacked on the camp yet in retaliation more Pakistani soldiers were killed via a suicide bomb. So Pakistan tried an even better method and that was to tell NATO when to expect talibans to be crossing. In all honesty Pakistan has caught more terrorists than any other country in the war on terrorism including America and if Pakistan was actually not being a friend then we wouldnt be continuing to support them internally but condemning them in the media. It workd for all sides to do so. Its sad when people start writing without proper knowledge of the region. Americans need to educate themselves more about the world outside its borders.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Shan, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:28:21 GMT

Pakistan has been the most important ally in the war on terror and has done far more then we would ever like credit them. More Pakistani soldiers have died fighting the war on terror then any other country in that area, including the US. The Taliban are crossing over to Pakistan because the US and Afghan military cannot stop them. And yet we expect Pakistan to seal the entire border, which is impossible. Its unfortunate that even after all that Pakistan has done for US, it gets blamed for everything.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Don N.J. — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:30:08 GMT

It seems to me that factions within the pakistani army does not want to help us kill or capture these terrorists. I guess we really dont have many friends there.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Joe — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:30:20 GMT

In an underdeveloped and Islamic country like Pakistan, which is comprised of various nationalities and , yes some are tribes, it is very hard to keep all people happy. On top of that, you got U.S troops killing both guilty and innocent people, it too risky to let such hostile forces even operate in their country. U.S should concentrate on making friends rather than enemies around the world.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Aaron Blackston — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:33:22 GMT

Pakitstan sides with the tribal leaders in Afghanistan, and really has more resources to stop terror in the region. By being a Muslim country are scared of the fall out from other Muslim countries and local tribal leaders.Pakistan has been the source for many years of Terroist and Millitans alike that hate us policy and rhetoric.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Nomi Mirza,columbia, south carolina — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:33:51 GMT

People like Stanley from chicago forget that if it were not for Pakistan, most high level Al-Quaida figures would still be at large. We should also remember that Osama and many of his terrorist comrades were trained and armed by CIA and left there hanging after Soviet forces retreated from Afghanistan. Many people would argue that its not Pakistan but US that is untrustworthy and its not Pakistan but Israel that is the source of terrorism -by repeatedly attacking or provoking neighboring countries or through its strong jewish lobby in US, making US to attack countries like Iraq and now trying to do the same with Iran.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Darren Fazioli — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:34:06 GMT

You reap what you sow. Don't forget this started with driving the Soviet out of Afganistan and the ludcirous amount of RPG and AK47s supplied to the hodge podge bunch of non-Afghani and Afghani Tribal fighthers. Now there is surplus arms, guess where they are being used? Especially, since there is no economy, education, social services. Guns can settle a lot of things very quickly. We need to think seriously before acting, knee jerk kinetic actions and tactical alliances rarely pay. Well, our childres will pay for all this. Wakeup!. Please!

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Hafsa — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:34:17 GMT

When one person point out a particular nation as a whole to be the source of terrorism is surly becoming a a media victom ... so far pakistan has done more than its own capacity to wash out the dirt that was produced in the 1980's (God knows who was behind it). Targeting directly wont solve the issue , one needs to know the crux of the problem in these remote mountains and combate it altogether by this i mean pakistan and afghanistan as a whole. The fun thing is watching pakistana nd india shaking hands and hugging on the real border and back bitting through afghanistan as afghanistan's speaking the language of india. Its high time that the REAL afghans should be given there alnd back . and NO ONE else be deprived from its land irrespective of any nation. btw i really dont like Politics of any country in this 21st century. God bless us all. Ameen

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

SKM — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:34:53 GMT

American foreign policy often seems to favor the moment not the principles or goals of our republic. Pakistan is a prime example. In the early 1970s,the Pakistani military massacred 1-3 million Bengalis, 13 million or more fled what was then East Pakistan. One would think this would have brought to rest Pakistan's claim that it represented Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, never mind that more Muslims reside in India than in Pakistan today. Now that same Pakistani military claims to represent Muslims in Kashmir. Muslims in India have more rights that Muslims in Pakistan. Further, that same military has used the Islamic fascists to murder thousands of civilians in India, men, women and children. Next, it focused upon Afghanistan, seekng to make it a Pakistani satellite. Well, if this goes according to all other Pakistani plans, it is headed for disaster for Pakistan, and rightly so. Once a mass murdering military, always a military capable of mass murder. Pakistan, under American heat, will give up a few hapless Taliban or Al Quaida, but never stop its support for them. I thought America favored democracies. Of course, it can be argued that better Musharraf, a tin horn dictator, than the Islamic fascist alternative, but again, such momentary strategies always fail in the worst way possible. The United States of America should support democracy, not useless dictatorships that cannot even keep the peace within their national boundaries. India is a greater ally than Pakistan, a failed state, can ever be. And now that Afghans and Indians see Pakistan for what it is, a thuggish state, the United States risks alienating allies at a time it can ill afford to.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Dave Minneapolis, MN — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:35:00 GMT

It is interesting as partners in this war how different of a viewpoint each side has. Recommended reading is Musharraf's book "In the Line of Fire". You will get a lot better idea where the other side is coming from on this. The reality is without Musharraf as an ally, the situation in the region could be vastly worse. People should really find out what kind of pressure that he is under.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

lloyd roberts, jamaica new york — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:38:29 GMT

stanley, you're so right. Far more dangerous than Iraq ever was, and we don't have to guess about their nuclear weapons -- they got em. Very fundamentalist country. Instead of attacking and destabilizing Iraq we should have sent in a delta force team to Pakistan to neutalize those weapons. Missed opportunity for a failure of a president

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Rick, newman, woodbarry, MN — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:39:21 GMT

Pakistan is not a friend to America, Pakistan is trapped America, They [Pakistan] are playing two rules 1. protecting and training terrorist and 2. saying they are helping to America on 'war on terrorism and taking lot of aid and funds for that in result not allowing America to get in to the contry and not putting fooling America. Pakistan is a key place terrorism and very dangerous country in the continent. and America has to think and get in to the country and catch the terrorists.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

richard chaffin cookeville tn — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:39:37 GMT

nuke the entire region/ would real people ever object?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Irwin Deutsch, Thousand Oaks, CA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:42:24 GMT

I think the issue is whether the short-term 'advantage' of getting the 'enemy' is worth the long-term disadvantage of generating hatred on the Moslem street. I think it's not, but only time will tell.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Syed, Toronto, Canada — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:42:39 GMT

No country in the world has promoted global terrorism as much as Pakistan. The Taliban today would not have the resources with which to attack NATO and ISAF forces in Afghanistan without the support, re-supply,training and financing by the Pakistani military. Unfortunately, there are still many relics from the cold war in the State Department who continue to promote Pakistan as an ally - at the expense of American and allied soldiers' lives.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Mark, Blue Springs, MO — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:43:55 GMT

Pakistan can't have it both ways, allies in the war against terror but also harbinger of those who commit it. If there is an agreement for us to attack Taliban and other terrorist targets along the border in Pakistan then we should be able to do this without their complaint. After all we are both fighting for the same goal, right?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Coles Cross — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:45:54 GMT

As long as there is no political stabilty Pakistan will always be a Terrorist producing nation. With the present climate I don't expect to see any changes in the near future. Poverty, Lack of proper education system and inferiority complex compared to India are also major contributers to the present situation. The way thing are Pakistan is and will be a Terror nation for a long time to come.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Francis — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:47:32 GMT

The most ironic part of this whole relationship is that Pakistan is NOT a Democracy....it is a military government. Musharraf (sp?) has a very tenuous grip on the country. Many in the military hate everything about the U.S. and he has a very tenuous grip on the country. He's playing both ends against the middle. I work for a Pakistani owned company and it is pretty clear that he is trying to appease those with the money who want the benefits of American business dealings. Yet he's got a country full of very, very poor people who are devout Muslims and loathe all things Western, especially the U.S. I frankly think he is well aware of what is going on with terrorists within his country and is allowing it to happen because he doesn't want to upset that fragile balance. It could go very badly for us if he is overthrown by his own military.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Pascal, St Petersburg, Fl — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:47:37 GMT

Stanley shows the same kind of stupidity shown by US press and government. He forgets why terrorism, which has hurt Pakistan more than any one else, is the direct result of the US high tailing out of the area, after the Afghan war, leaving behind CIA trained killers on their own, who were then known as the Maujhideen, and are known as the Al-Quida and the Taliban. Stanley should stop reading comic books, and wathing FOX news, and read a book or two. Pascal, St.Petersburg, Fl.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Dave Nakum - St. Louis, MO — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:49:22 GMT

It is strange that our government has not figured out that we are being USED both by PAkistan and Saudis to do their dirty work to root out muslim extremists or their political opponents as is the case in Saudi Arabia at our expense and for their leaders to stay in power. The U.S. has still not figured out how the muslim mind works. They will agree with you and then out of clear blue will make a U-turn to look good in the eyes and minds of their fellow muslim brothers. We have see that happen several times with Pakistani, Iraqi leaders and Saidis. We in the west will hasitate to bad mouth the person who puts food on our table. It is time for the US government to wake up really question their motives.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Ali, Brea, California — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:51:30 GMT

Pakistan is the best friend that the United States has ever had. One need to read the history of US, Pakistan relationship. From Gary Powers to mutual treaty of CENTO and SEATO to Afganistan war. Pakistan has not been a fair weather friend of the United States. It is granted that at present there is anti American feelings in Pakistan at this time but we need to analyze the whole range of issuse. Hopefully Pakistanis and Americans could resolve all the issues and US would be popular again.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

peter , new york ,new york — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:51:30 GMT

Pakistan is part of teh terror problem. Tere gov and people provide training and support. Yet our gov is to blind to see. The pakistanis have been invovled in terrorism for a long time. Look at the terrorist activities they conduct against India or the creation and training of the Taliban.We should have let India go to war against pakistan and take care of the terror problem in that country.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Roland Lohnert — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:52:55 GMT

Question: Where is the best hiding place for Bin Laden and his co-hordes? Answer: Either the summer palast or the guest house of the President of Palistan. How naive are we and for how long?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

bhav, New York, NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:53:46 GMT

How can a nation supporting terrorism (Kashmir), be a nation fighting terrorism along with us?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Sam — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:54:32 GMT

Without the 5000+ terrorists that Pakistan has captured and handed to the US in the last 5 years, or the 800+ soldiers that the Pakistany Army has lost in the Waziristran Tribal areas in last 2 years fighting Afghans (where millions of Afghan refugees have been living for 25+ years and have been instrunmental in making Heroin and Klalashinkof part of the Pakistany Culture), most Americans would not be able to sleep comfortably without Pakistan's help.. Millions of Afghan refugees also live in Pakistany Cities(since 1978) and have been the core, if not the only, reason for bringing Talibanization to Pakistan. The people of NWFP (North West Frontier Province)province on Pakistan and Waziristan area are Pashtuns (same ethnicity which is a majority 60% ethnicity of Afghanistan and the ethnicity of Mr. Karzai). There needs to be a political solution to this problem. There is no army solution alone. It has to be army and political solution combuned. Blaming Pakistan who already has an enemy on the West and whoes forces 80K+ are now deployed on the East, with limited resources(a third world country), is not going to solve the problem. Kashmir: Mr. Nehru, the ex-prime minister of India in 1940s signed papers under UN umbrella and promised Kashmiris to provide a plesbisite opportunity to Kashmiris who live under the Indian Control and where according to UN, Indian forces killed 90,000 "Civilians" between 1981 and 1992. India has never offered the promised plesbisite(Democracy) to Kashmiry people. For those who have faught War of Independence from the British, We should understand and diferenctiate between legitimate aspirations of people around the world for FREEDOM. There are some elements that are extremists or terrorists among all Independence movements around the world but that should not delegitamize the need for Common civilians to seek freedom for themselves. Terrorists should be dealt with differently and with full force than the aspirations of common people. Rather they be Chechens(fighting for Independence for 400 years), kashmiris, or Palestinians, or Sri Lankans etc. All movements that we, the US, supported for last 50 years up until 9/11.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Parker, Houston, Texas — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:54:56 GMT

Pakistan has always been the REAL enemy of The United States. But the current US government is either too stupid to recognize this or slept with Pakistani goverment to excercise the 9/11 tragedy and then the subsequent hold over the gullible and fightened Americans by ruling with manufactured propaganda of fear. Yes, Pakistan is the Source of Al-Queda. Either Musharraf really fooled Dick & Bush, or all three conspired against America to re-instate the corrupt Republican power.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Joe, Central, Louisiana — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:58:00 GMT

al-Qaeda is an enemy of Pervez Musharraf, so he has an interest in taking out the militant group as much as we do. I think Musharraf is stuck in a rock and a hard place: his American ally is fighting a war on terror, whereas the majority of Pakistani citizens dislike America and would rather harbor the terrorists. I think all governments should actively work together to rid this world of terrorism, but us twisting people's arm isn't the most effective way of doing it (like we're doing to Musharraf). We should have formed an agreement with all anti-terrorist countries to actively put our heads together to fight terrorism. Instead we're going at it alone and it's not work. A bilateral approach to the situation would also provide a "we're in it together attitude". Us going at it alone allow our enemies (like Ahmadinejeb and Chavez) to take capitalize and publicize all of our mistakes.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

abc — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:58:29 GMT

"PAkistan has always been the source of terrorism in the modern world - They are using Kashmir as an excuse to bluff the world" I am impressed you said that. I do agree with you. This is absolutely true

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John, Palm Beach, FL — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:00:32 GMT

Pakistan is a country of extreme poverty. The man running took over is a bloodless coup. It is a dictatorship that had a mock election several years ago, so they could be deemed a democracy and be a friend of the USA, because the USA does not to business with a dictatorship. Its a country in limbo, the Pakistani President has to carefully balance his friendship with the West and the Internal military and governmental issues of hatred towards the West, meanwhile dodging assassination attempts and eventually it all crumble.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

am ala — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:06:23 GMT

If it was not for for Pakistan and the Talibaans USSR Would be still the superpower

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Matt — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:08:28 GMT

Nuke the middle east till it glowes you will never fix that area.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jennifer Ellis — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:08:40 GMT

If we change our foreign policy, there won't be any "terror camps" so to speak. Just my two-cents. These people aren't making "terror camps" just for the heck of it, they are fighting for a cause. The cause happens to be the Isreali/Palestanian conflict. Yes, even ALL the way in Pakistan, this is the ROOT of the issues. The Middle East feels slighted and pushed aside. We fail to realize that. What do we plan to do? Take out EVERY middle eastern nation? Kill millions of innocent people because we want to wipe out terrorism? Change the foreign policy and you'll change so much more. We may be a super power now, but we sure are making a whole heck of a lot of enemies.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

David Satchi Houston Tx — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:09:39 GMT

We Americans see terroism and we want to rightly search and destroy it. The Muslims, regardless of their pursuation do not see eye to eye with us. They see their religion,culture and even sovereignity being eroded.This dilemma will last a long time,for we do not necessarily have the peoples of many Islamic and non-Islamic nations on our side. In Afghanistan we might have squandered it,even if our intent and actions elsewhere were noble.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

joe — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:09:53 GMT

haha

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Arun — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:10:09 GMT

As Churchill once said "There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. There are only permanent interests". This is so true when it comes to politics. Who is Pakistan to us? Just a handful of politicians who love (or use) US??!! These politicians cant do much about the fabric of the society into which is interwoven the Islamic Fundamentalism. The divide is between this group and world. Mush has to dance with both US and the fundamentalists. So, the country as such can never be a 'best friend' until the whole society loves US, like India, which irrespective of minor political differences has such strong trade and technological relationship. Even at individual level. Sad State, that US has to sleep with the enemy.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John Doe, Islamabad, Pakistan — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:10:32 GMT

70% illiteracy, a country owned by less than 3% of its population, tribal mindsets, suppression of individual identity, corruption, perversion, an inherent inferiority complex that FORCES us to join sides with those who appear more powerful than ourselves, what the hell else do you expect with such a country? I live in Islamabad, the capitol of this sad and sorry land, and trust me a bigger hive of self indulgence you aint never seen. Its all face value, something to please the infinite number of cameras watching the country's every move. The shiny cars, the big buildings (when they arent even pressed for space!), its all to lull the minds of the western observers (And by that i mean the hopeless schmucks in the Bush Administration) into thinking the country is PROGRESSING and is MODERN and LIBERAL and bla bla bla. Trust me the only institution working in this Godforsaken hell hole is the ISI, that would be our secret service, and their agenda is STRICTLY pro-islamic. Musharraf loves his partying and all that money from the book sales TOO F***ING MUCH to actually give a crap about changing things. He's just putting a mask over all his problems for people who give more of a damn about them than he does, those people being the Rulers in the West.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Arun — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:11:50 GMT

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Sad observer, New Orleans, Louisiana — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:12:33 GMT

Throughout its 50-year history, Pakistan has been a country that has been ruled by military generals of Punjabi ethnicity, interspersed by brief periods (perhaps less than 10%) of democracy. The leadership has been largely opportunistic (which led it to cozy up to the U.S., the Arab nations, and also China), and generally corrupt. It has historically sought to preserve its perquisites and power through whipping up mass hysteria against India and the Hindus. When the U.S. left after financing a 'jehadi' uprising against the Russians in Afghanistan, Pakistan calculated that sponsoring and financing the Taliban to take over Afghanistan and developing the nuclear bomb, touted as the 'Islamic' bomb, with Saudi and other Arab financing, and Chinese and Korean technological help, would serve it well in regaining favors from the U.S., replace the U.S. with Saudi & Arab financing in the interim, increase assistance from the Chinese for the help in brow-beating India, and also obtain Taliban help in increasing the militant insurgency into Kashmir. Gandhi always said that the truth would ultimately prevail, and these schemes are now exposed. Sadly, the population is still brainwashed into believing that their country is the abode of the 'pure' (Pak-istan) Muslims, and believe that their faith requires them to fight to the death against both the Western world, and against the Hindus, as well as to wrest control of a Muslim-majority state from secular India, where traditionally the different communities of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Parsees have lived together in peace.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Dave, OR — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:13:24 GMT

equip the friendly Arab nations with arms sufficient to take down all extreme Islamic groups, then position NATO troops around the borders of all waring factions and let them take care of their own problem on their own lands....end of Middle East problems

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Dennis, Minneapolis, Mn — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:14:03 GMT

Success in Central Asia has to be based on close and personal contact with local tribal leaders, especially in the remote areas where the gov'ts really have no positive influence. Some military and even private humanitarian groups have had great success with this knowledge. The fact is that the group who can give them schools, medicine and clean water are the ones who gain influence, even if it's Taliban or Al-Qaida. The central gov'ts have ignored the remote areas for years. The U.S. decision to divert money promised to rebuild and improve Afganistan to Iraq is a sign to tribal leaders of our untrustworthiness.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Priyaranjan Kumar, San Jose, CA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:14:54 GMT

It's time the Western world took blind folds off and addressed Pakistan's role in being an incubator of terrorism globally for over 20 years, part of it as the US front in Afghanistan. One only needs to look at what has happened post 9/11 in all parts of the world - US, UK, Spain, Middle East, India, Far East - to realize terrorism is Pakistan's most infamous export alongwith supplying nuclear designs and fuels to North Korea and Iran. The symptom and the disease need to be cured for the world to be a safer place.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

David, Cape May, New Jersey — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:15:11 GMT

I love how flip so many posters are here. This is very serious stuff, but it seems, as in Washington, too many people are concerned about getting their political jollies by wanting out country to fail and getting to crow over it than really want to win the war.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Asif, Ottawa, Canada — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:17:07 GMT

The United States need to learn to be an honest broker in the world disputes. It is not a small banana republic to need alliances. It can call a spade a spade. It needs to do so in middle east. If US becmae fair in the middle east all terrorism related probles would evaprate. Why does the US need to take sides? Poor Pakisatn caught always caught in between disputes of others problems has lost more of its own soldiers than all the NATO troops put together. Even then its friends doubt its sincerity. WHo needs friends like these. Musharraf would be wise to end it allians with the west, ask US to pack up its basis from its soil and follow foreign policies which suit it the best.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Titania, NYC — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:17:33 GMT

The only reason that Pakistan is helping the u.s. is because america will go to war with pakistan if they don't become an ally.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

steve ny ny — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:18:50 GMT

Don't worry when the USA has no more use for the Pakistanian president he will wind up like the rest of the US arab friends. When the USA has no more use for them Saddam,shah of Iran,they will be hanging from a rope.Hope they wise up.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Shawn Chalfin, Dayton, OH — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:19:09 GMT

Wow!! I am amazed at the lack of knowledge on part of young Americans. Need I remind the US that Pakistan was the staging ground for the CIA in 80's against the Soviet Afghanistan? US funded the Mujaheedeen and left them in air after the Soveit withdrawl. In this vaccum Taliban (students) came to power to end the civil war and the US has a policy of abandoning its allies in war. Look what happened to the Kurds during the first Gulf War. US armed Saddam against Islamic Iran and late turned their back on Saddam. Pakistan and its Diaspora should realise that it is just a pawn in the hands of CIA.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jane Doe, Ashburn VA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:21:50 GMT

You can't just say nuke them all - you're talking about people. Real, human, living, breathing people. If we all took this stance, how much better would it make us than these so called terrorists????????

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Disgusted — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:24:08 GMT

I'm disgusted that people there are people in the world that can say to nuke an entire region without so much as thinking about what they are saying. How would you feel if on the flip side the Middle Easterners were saying that about the United States???

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Muhammad Bin Naveed, Islamabad — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:24:31 GMT

There really isnt any reason to bomb pakistan for crying out loud. Every nation has its own timeline of reaching maturity. We're a long way away from that and i think the world needs to realise this fact. Our people arent up to the job of being integrated into the new world because they still live in the old one. Every nation that can claim to be a part of the new world has done so through the same struggles we are going through. Slowly but surely education is picking up pace and there is only a matter of time left before the rich poor gap gets so wide that the people will realise whats more important to them and take the power into their own hands and bring about a true democractic revolution. Bomb our country and you might get rid of us, but the rest of the muslim world will cause a ruckus, and hey ho you have a world war on your hands. Work with thsoe who understand the social structure and how to bring it to light in a modern framework, promote understanding. If they create fire, you dab it with water because its too easy to burn down the whole forest. Its much harder to grow and nurture a tree but the rewards are infinitely more profound.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jesus of Nazareth, San Jose, CA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:24:50 GMT

I am assuming Stanley does not know too much about Pakistan, that is evident. Kashmir is not even Pakistani soil, it is still between India and Pakistan. Second, how would they use Kashmir as an excuse? Our government picks strange friends in strange ways. As I recall, the US govt. threatened to 'blow them back to the stone age,' after 9/11, so pakistan didn't really have a choice huh? The US puts it's hands where they should not be, the US Intervention in Somalia for example. We were suppose to go in there to end famine, to save the emaciated, near-dead children. Last I checked, after the US intervention, it is still about the same as it was before. Why did the US not 'intervene' in Ethopia or Sudan with civil wars that promoted famine. Even better, decades before that when Bangladesh and Nigeria were in worse conditions. Of course the US would intervene in Somalia, I mean Somalia was considered a terrorists haven. I suppose the US was smart enough to help out Afghanistan in the 70's and 80's as well; to provide them with the guns and ammo that are killing our soldiers. We can't find Osama Bin Laden anywhere you want to know why? I would just assume once the CIA trains him, that he would know what is coming from the same country that is "trying," more or less, to get him. Have you guys realized that the US does a lot of blind leading? The US owes Pakistan 77 F-16's, coincidently when this was happening in 1989 President Bush declared pakistan a nuclear country and pulled out all aid from pakistan. Without any proof? So what does Pakistan do? it's neighboring country doesn't like it, and has nuclear weapons, and the US won't help. Get nuclear weapons, and dislike the US for backing out, as their word always has with pakistan. I mean.. why don't we just go to war with Iraq because we ASSUME they have weapons of mass destruction? oh wait.. we did that already. Ignorance is not always bliss.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

mahvish — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:29:30 GMT

i just think that americans have made it a habit to use countries for their own good and then bomb them with the help of a "new friend" and yeah if pakistan hadnt caught those 5000 so called terrorists im sure most of the americans wouldnt be able to sleep peacefully. pakistan is not a terrorist nations but is helping the terrorists (the americans) bomb other weak countries. how many were killed on 9/11? how many has america killed after 9/11?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

mahvish, lahore, punjab — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:29:47 GMT

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

TN — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:29:59 GMT

Pakistan should reconsider it's efforts to fight terrorism and straighten their priorities. Pakistan, for it's own sake needs to be very strict with terrorists specifically and with militiamen in general in the tribal areas. Anyone who does not follow the laws and regulations and willingly acts against the national interests should be dealt with an iron fist. When is the govt going to realise that now is the time to purge that region of all the wrongdoings, arms and ammunition. It should not be the US drones destroying terrorist camps inside Pakistan. These places must be destroyed by Pakistani Army. They should ask for technology from the US to monitor these areas and it their request is denied then this issue should be brought up publicly. It is in Pakistan's interest to resolve the issues of terrorism for the sake of national integrity and not because western countries would give them a medal.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Peter Hastings, New Delhi. — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:30:37 GMT

I am of the time when the US sent great schlars (Fulbright plan, etc.) to countries such as Pakistan. These selfless ambassadors of US worked side by side on peaceful projects which won the hearts and minds of the recipient nations. I am such a convert and lover of the US. I suggest that the US seiously find about 5000 such scholars and send them to Afghanistan, the Middle East, and other countries in the rgion. With far less expenditure and no bloodshed, we will make friends through helping them eradicate their illiteracy and bring some cmfort to the people. We live in a world which cannot be tamed through force. Only hands of friendship extended to the so called enemies will do the job.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

ARMus Mart, Huntsville, Alabama — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:31:38 GMT

We should have let India take Pakistan down in 2001. Bush and the rest of his Cowards and cronies within the Republican Party have botched up this war on terrorism right from the start. Iran and Pakistan need some population control and one of these days were going to have to use nuclear weapons to wipe out this menace to humanity; probably only after these militant lunatics get their hands on and use a nuclear device against unarmed civilians and I'm sorry about the majority of muslims that really aren't a problem, but they aren't handling their affairs and we are going to have to eradicate these Moslems for the peace and safety of the planet.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

valeed, mankato,mn. — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:32:30 GMT

it is high time that american people and the govt. understand that only democratic govt. can be their allies and not the distators.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Peace lover — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:34:13 GMT

All you stupid Americansn, What do you call somebody who illegally invade a soveriegn country by fabricating lies and kill 1 million innocent people. You guys are the bigest threat terrorist the worl has ever known.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Rudy, Lakewood, WA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:34:47 GMT

The United States started in a little area of the eastern US coast. Since then, it has moved west and expansion has reached its original area except a few isolated problem areas. The Federation of United States? Hmmmmmm....

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Steely Dan — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:36:16 GMT

Nuke the entire region? Nice one! Make sure none of your relatives are vacationing in that region - you don't want them nuked out!!!

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

r a virginia — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:36:54 GMT

all you peoples dont know what is going on in pakistan pres musharaf put his life on line for us ..and other hand hand what india have done for us ,,nothing but we stll wnat india get over tec for there future a bomb we should not trust india on any way they will stab in our back when they will get chance so plz dont talk about pakista they ben doing so much for us for last 40 years..thanks

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John Smith, Alexandria, VA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:39:11 GMT

Without Pakistan our government had no chance on reaching Afghanistan borders. Also what are we doing there we should have our soldiers back home with their family and friends. It is just an excuse to go after someone else and have our loved ones in danger.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jane Doe — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:42:29 GMT

When people are talking about whether Pakistan or Musharraf are not doing enough to prevent these Taliban or Al Qaeda elements are easily forgetting that Muharraf is the sworn enemy. He had at least 2 serious assasination attempts on his life, the prime minister was also saved from at least 1 assasination attempt. So people, please, keep things in perspective. This is not a place for people to make their hatred known towards Pakistan or Muslims. There are some radical views to nuke the whole country or the region or the whole of the Middle East. We should not expect these from the most educated, most democratic, most advanced nation in the world. Calm down. Dont think and do what Al Qaeda wants. There is plenty of blame to go around. Starting with the US high handedness at the end of the War in Afghanistan against Russia, then the open availability of drugs and guns thanks to the Afghan Refugees who made it prevalent in Pakistan, then successive incompetent goverments in Pakistan, then Clinton administration's inability to do enough to capture bin laden and stiffness to accept the realities in Pakistan, then Bush administration's stupidness to close their eyes to the facts, then neo-cons takeover of the US government to isolate the Muslims. Some cool headed and intellectual people in the Bush administration at the time of 9/11 could have averted the situation in which US finds itself. So as I said, there is plenty of blame to go around. there are 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. You cant kill them all. And you shouldnt. For the simple reason that a handful, literally, are responsbile for it. So,again, please calm down. Keep things clear.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Lex Blumpkin, Dover, DE — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:43:14 GMT

Why do we care??? Our enemys will always fail. If they (Islamist Extremist) were so great, they would not be living in caves. Let them blow themselves up. Just dont let our troops be the target. Withdraw back to our own borders and secure those. Let the animal fight among themselves. Once the establish some type of goverment...we go topple it and leave them in chaos...better yet, we have nuclear missiles that are paid in full. Lets start using them.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

steve LI NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:44:13 GMT

Kashmir is OVER 70percent muslim they do not want to be part of India they would rather be part of Pakistan.Better yet they would rather be free from both.Let the people vote where their future lies.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jay, Los Angeles, California — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:44:48 GMT

Pentagon and CIA will tell ignorant nation that Pakistan is a real friend. Those, who are talking about Indian democracy they should speak out against state terrorism in Kashmir, Hindu cast system and burning an Australian man and his two sons that were missionaries alive in India. (http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=116731&Disp=0)

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

steve LI NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:45:01 GMT

Kashmir is OVER 70percent muslim they do not want to be part of India they would rather be part of Pakistan.Better yet they would rather be free from both.Let the people vote where their future lies.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

sharjeel, sharjah, UAE — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:45:27 GMT

I think all this terroism problem is because of INDIA , it is a nation which never had good relations with its neighbours. I think INDIA has some psycological problem. It cannot see anyone prosper. It is causing trouble in Afghanistan through its embassy ( RAW). SO that the blame comes on Islamabad. Root cause is not Pakistan , its INDIA.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Bala, Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:47:22 GMT

Setting all the emotions aside, US needs Pakistan to resolve Taliban issue. There are several elements in Pakistan that supports Taliban. It means, US needs complete cooperation of Pakistan's president. Trusting Pakistan 100% will be a problem since US does not know who to trust. Agreeing with the US 100% is culturally not possible for Pakistan leaders too. Changing the minds of people who live in the tribal areas in between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not going to happen. I think that the current setup is working. The president of Pakistan is a very smart person. I have seen him in action a few times. If Pakistan can take advantage of this unique situation to improve its economic and educational system, it will progress. Otherwise, this is going to be the tried-and-trusted terrorist breeding ground. Leaders of Afghanistan should have a vision for the country and should try to get cooperation from all tribes (easier said than done). Otherwise, Afghanistan will not make any progress even after 10 years.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Arun Ramgopalan. — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:47:59 GMT

There is no doubt that Paksitan is the breeding grounds of Islamist extremist. The country was founded in 1947 on religion and massacres and riots killing millions of innocent people. In 1971, Pakistan again killed millions of their own Bengali Muslim citizens. The country has failed to separate religion from state since last 50 years and is progressing faster and faster towards self destruction. No other country is responsible for this condition except Paksitanis themselves and their romance with everything Islamic. They need to learn to keep religion private and peaceful and run the country by a secular rule of law. Musharraf seems to be an intelligent man and has figured this out, but unfortunately he does not have much support from the common people of Pakistan who are still easily influenced by the extremists who think killings-destruction-violence as an approved form of Islam and as a way to go to heaven. US needs to help Musharraf eliminate these fundamentalist elements within Pakistan. Nuking a country of 155 million or going to war with them is not the solution. We need to resolve this problem with farsightedness and working at the grass-root psychological level. Co-incidentally democracy in Pakistan will breed more extremism because of the nature of democracy to appease to popular feelings to get elected and get power. A party which talks of secularism will not be popular in Pakistan today and never get elected. Musharraf and his non-democratic regime (notice, I have not used the word dictator or totalitarian) is the best hope for both Pakistan themselves, the US and the world.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

TONY SHUMPERT CHICAGO, IL — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:48:50 GMT

SEEMS TO ME THE UNITED STATES DEALS OFF THE BOTTOM AND THE TOP. I WOULD NOT TRUST THE POLITICIANS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN THIS COUNTRY. AMERICA IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY THAT WAS EVER STOLEN, AND WE ALL KNOW WHO STOLE IT. FOR THE RIGHT PRICE, YOU CAN BUY YOUR WAY INTO THIS COUNTRY REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE A CRIMINAL, TERRORIST, ETC. ALL THEE UNDERHANDED DEALINGS WILL COME BACK TO BITE THIS COUNTRY SOONER RATHER THEN LATER.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

r a virginia — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:49:06 GMT

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Commander Hawk-eye, New York, USA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:49:47 GMT

For a comprehensive examination of the historical and existential dimensions of the Pakistani Question, with a policy prescriptive conclusion that is not only realistic but is a categorical imperative amidst the dangers that we face, go to the current (Winter 2007)issue of "Orbis", the quarterly of the Foreign Policy Research Institute of Philadelphia. The essay is entitled "Containing Pakistan: Engaging the Raja-Mandala in South-Central Asia", and is written by Vanni Cappelli, a freelance journalist with long experience on that frontier who is the president of the Afghanistan Foreign Press Association.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

JD — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:51:30 GMT

The question is not if Pakistan is a friend of US. The question is, if the US is a friend of anyone ? A superpower is a superpower only as long as it can subdue others (by force, greed, deception, etc.) Indians will learn their lesson as well, because they are being used as a pawn agains the growing threat of China.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

OMAR,GLASGOW — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:51:36 GMT

oh y oh y wont you dumb rednecks actually wake up and smell the air. reallty is AND YOU KNOW IT the U.S has never been friends with anyone, they only use them for their own interests and then throw them to the lions. 1.Sierra leone - they went there for the diamonds killed so many ppl then got their asses kicked and came home. 2. gulf war 1990 -trained saddam to fight with iran and kill kurds, then went in and stole oil. HMMM I WONDER Y THEY NEVER TOOK SADDAM THEN, OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE A TIME WILL COME AND THEY WILL NEED MORE OIL AND USE SADDAM.OK

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Sun — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:53:25 GMT

Honestly speaking trying to compare the apples to apples should be comparing the real poor in America to general major population in Pakistan. I did try working for some community service and have never seen such hatred to government. In Pakistan's situation government has always been dancing to general public expectations tell recently where they had to bow to US pressure. In this position what would any leader do? Back his own people or back someone who has a power? Mush pretty well knows that he has to do both, so he is. Seeing from Mush's eyes what he is doing might perfectly make sense to him. What Our government needs to do is more effectively use our their intelligence sources and judge well reliability and strike less and more accurately. Terrorism is controlled by few rich Muslims who drive masses of poor Muslims, its surely possible to eradicate these few leaders who drive masses crazy. Pakistan is a friend and a foe, its up to US to use it when in the way required without creating much unrest.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Suny. NYC, NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:53:32 GMT

Pakistan cannot deal with its own bred in home terrorists and its far from reality that it could be of any use to USA except giving its land for military operations. Now US will have to fight against Afganistan and protect themselves from pakistani terrorists which outnumber the population of Pakistan. Pakistan is scared of earning wrath from other fellow Islamic countries and is playing a double game. Neither Pak will concentrate on its economy and live in peace but also it wont let its neighboring countries be peaceful. Islam doesnt preach terrorism as Indian muslims are peaceful and in stream but wonder where so much of hatred came from to Pak. After 1947 it woke up lately from a dream that they had Indian Kashmir in their hands... when did Pak start bothering about their fellow muslim bros in India when it cant take care of its own bros in home ?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Guy, San Diego, CA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:53:42 GMT

"its not Pakistan but Israel that is the source of terrorism -by repeatedly attacking or provoking neighboring countries" Nomi Mirza,columbia, south carolina What kind of parallel universe do muslims live in? I really, really hate to generalize, but muslims as a rule, certainly seem to have been brainwashed in their thinking about Israel when the real aggressors have been their neighbors in every major conflict...1948, 1967, 1973, just to name a few. Existing isn't a good enough excuse to provoke the neighbors into starting a war. I think people who believe that all the world's problems are going to go away once the Israel/Palestine issue is solved are naive. It's merely a propaganda too to exploit perceived injustice. When it's solved, they will find another propaganda tool to exploit & we'll be where we started from. Pakistan's a different, complicated story. It's not all bad, but it's not all good either.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Sammy, Washington DC — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:53:45 GMT

The Govt of Pakistan and the U.S. Govt may be friends, but that does translate well at all levels, due to significant differences in values, interests, outlook, and culture. Terrorism has become deeply rooted in Pakistan due to their tribal politics, which is nurtured by corrupt institutions at the highest level. If Taliban is the body, Al-Qaida is the mind, and Pakistan's ISI is the soul.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Gary, Roselle, Illinois — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:55:40 GMT

This is not just about the U. S. or Pakistan. As long as the poor and uneducated can be manipulated by anyone's religion we will have holy wars. We all have to co-habitate this small and fragile world. We all want our children to live better lives than we. Long and prosperous. Terrorism is the cancer of our world whether it is political or religious. God did not create us to destroy ourselves.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Urvi NY,NY — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:57:11 GMT

Pakistan is one of the major countries out there that support terrorism. They are only helping America because they need them for political and economically reasons. Think about the attack in Bombay over the summer...didn't they find traces back to Paki? And what about the countinous fight in Kashmir-the land that used to be so beautiful has been ruined due to continuous fighting between both the nations. And didnt Paki use terrorism to fight some of that war? You can say that it is an American view of an Indian view of the war...but when you look at it every country adds it's bias into history. Historically, Pakistan has a huge link with terrorism and it is due time that America cracks down on it. There is no way that Pakistan is giving America all the information they know, because it would be going against what they believe. I still dont understand why America hasn't cracked down on Pakistan. Maybe it's because its the only Muslim country they know will help them...friends..i think not. America has no friends.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

JD, London, UK — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:58:01 GMT

It is sheer white mans arrogance to think that they can go to another country and make them do what they don’t want to do. Allied forces look like thugs and act like law to themselves. A great way to win hearts and minds. In their stupidity they don’t realize that they have already lost and the only beneficiary of all this are the suppliers’ and manufacturers, of arms and supporting equipment, who are laughing all their way to the bank.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

JD — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:58:32 GMT

"You're either for us, or against us. Or both."

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Kashmiri, California — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:59:20 GMT

plebiscite in Kashmir is what someone said; that was 1940's and now it is 2007. Kashmiri Hindu population has dropped <1% since then because of forceful conversion by Muslims over a period of time and pakistani terrorists since 90's. Shove up plebiscite under pak's, u know what...U don't even know to spell PLEBISCITE, talk about demanding one!!!

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jehanzeb — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:02:17 GMT

This is the best Pakistan can do given the circumstances. Take it or leave it. Show your cards as they have shown theirs.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

George Thara — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:03:10 GMT

Musharaff made a timely and convenient friendship/alliance with the US after realizing that their direct /indirect involvement in 9-11(by supporting Taliban) will come under attack from US in the form of eeconomic and poilitical sanctions and possibly through military actions as well. ISI has been using suicide bombers to achieve thir goals in India long before West has heard of suicide bombers. The only way Pakistan will cease to be haven for terrorist activities is by improving their economy that would give common Pkistanis a sense of pride, and stake in their country.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Shan, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:05:36 GMT

Remember that the taliban and the Osama bin Laden and associates were created by the CIA to fight against the USSR. And now we are blaming the Pakistanis for that. Paksitani soldiers are dying everyday for the war that US wants to win. Is there any other country who has done more for the US ever? Most of the people here and in the media would like you to beleive that OBL is living in some house in northern Pakistan protected by ISI. Do you really beleive that? If OBL was really living over there, US would have gone there long time ago and captured him, unless may US does not want to capture him.....

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

stan johnson vancouver canada — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:08:55 GMT

they have just moved the doomsday clock from seven to five minutes to midnight.they did this because of the situation in north korea and iran. what happens when musharraf is gone and the wacked out mullahs take over the nukes.just what the west needs.this could happen in iran too.the islamists will be on a roll along with kim jong.it will move the clock to at least a minute to midnight.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jim K — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:10:23 GMT

PAKISTAN A FRIEND? YOU ARE KIDDING ME? WE JUST HAVE TO USE THEM TO OUR ADVANTAGE.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

AndrewJon, Texas — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:12:17 GMT

How can Pakistan Be BEST FRIEND of America, when it is shielding Taliban and Al-Qaeda in its Territory and Keeps sending Fighters into Afghanistan to fight our Boys there? Musharaf is sure playing a DOUBLE-GAME! He got about 6 Billions Dollars(Our Hard-Earned Tax Payer's Money)Waived by our Dummy President! And Musharaf does not allow our troops to go into the border to take out the Taliban Terrorists! BUSH has Lost Both the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he has Bankrupted USA as he did to Arbusto(Shrub), his first company!!!

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Guy — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:12:52 GMT

Pakistan's in an interesting situation & there's definately been an "interesting" histroy in the US-Pakistan relationship. If Musharef is ever removed from power by the Islamist parties, then get ready for the s#*t to hit the fan 'cause the world's about to get a whole lot less pleasant that it already is. There are some serious crazies running around the streets of Pakistan, especially the one's that you see in the streets wearing the green turbans. If anyone familiar w/ Pakistani politics can elaborate on those guys, please do, & please be honest about them. btw, the CIA never supported the Taliban against the Soviets for the simple reason that the Taliban didn't exist until the 90s when Pakistan's ISI created it. The story is that after Soviets pulled out, India being our ally, did not want their rival Pakistan to have a strong ally/neighbor on their border, so we basically left the Afghans hanging in the wind. In an attempt to impose some sort of order & reduce the # of Afgan refugees coming to PK, they set up the Taliban.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Klein, Los Angeles — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:13:41 GMT

India, a long time friend of USSR and got every military equipment from them. After collapse of USSR, it is now become friend of US. We are exporting our jobs to the India a friend of communist country. When it comes to Nuke deal, US have different rules for Pakistan and India. However, India still thinks that this deal will not help them in energy sector. Pakistan relationships with US are since the creation of Pakistan. Pakistan supported US in cold war and help Germans to through away Berlin Wall. US should step up in sincere manner to help Afghanistan and Pakistan in their reconstruction and put a strong country on the map. It is Pakistan, who brought China close to US. Now, you see every thing “made in China” in US. (Please, read true history books)

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John B, Los Angeles — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:29:21 GMT

Arun's comment "So, the country as such can never be a 'best friend' until the whole society loves US, like India, which irrespective of minor political differences has such strong trade and technological relationship." cracks me up. Indians have such a slave mentality. Throughout history they have always been divided by race and class, still are. They are happy to follow and be ruled by someone ! Now they are just happy to rub their noses against the US and you call it Love US !!. Pakistan must do whatever is in its interest, just like what the US must do whatever is in its interest and Iran must do whatever is in its interest ! So if your interests dont align with other, dont call them terrorists. You are just as much of a terrorist in their eyes as they are in yours !

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

im, st. louis, missouri — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:37:39 GMT

every one is wrong here, on one hand the whole west is to blame for what is happening in the middle east and in pakistan on the other hand it has been the rulers of pakistan who have been looting the treasury and the poor pakistani people are getting frustrated. You can't expect the poor uneducated pakistani to know any better, they still are living in the tribal system while the ruling elite in the major cities enjoy the wealth. it is true that terrorism is present in pakistan, it has been there forever, but the only way to eliminate is to improve the economy and getting jobs for people. My friends we are living in a world with alot of hatred, we are human being and want to live happily lets not blame each other for our problem and try to help each other to get rid of this hatred. And lets not comment on any ones religion without knowing it properly, i can easily find some thing wrong or offensive in any religion if i take things out of context. I hope we all can be positive and help each other as we have bigger problems as global poverty, HIV and global warming to deal with. lets stop supporting leaders who support war and terrorism. may GOD bless us all.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Shazia Arain, Charlotte,NC — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:42:46 GMT

Ok,as an American of Paksitani decent.. and after the mess in Iraq..US governement and american people both need to learn a LOT about the culture and thinking of general Pakistanis, tribal people of Waziristan and the local politics. America needs Pakistan more than Pakistan needs them. To really win the war on terror in any muslim country US needs to realize the roots of these problems...which are economical. lack of education in these countries, weak economies and on top of that Mullah-ism...leads to young men getting into the "jihadist" mentality, where the prosperous advancing and liberal west is perceived as down right "unfair" for what ever reason this feeling of unjust legitimizes the negative propaganda done by Mullahs in the mosques across most of these third world or even middle eastern countries. Of all the leaders from Muslim world. Musharaf is the ONE and ONLY Muslim leader with some guts and brains. Yes he is being tactful with US and with his people.. becuse if he just bans the mullahs or try to be too tough with Tribal people(to please the US), the same Mullah and their millions of followers across paksitan will over throw him in a mintue..now that won't be too good for US. Would it? US needs to fulfill the economic, and educational and health sector needs of Pakistan and address the roots of these big problems and support Musharaf only then,we will be able to control the terrorism. Lastly all Americans need to know one thing.. people from Afghanistan and Pakistan are different type of Muslims than Middleeasterners.... Pakistani and Afghanis can carry on terrorism and fight for their beliefs in a pestering, annoying way which cannot be dealt with military...it needs to be fought with ideology and only changing that would put these third world terrorists to rest.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Saif, NJ — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:52:23 GMT

US used Pakistan to create Osama and Taliban for its own interests. In order to have Pakistan comply with its policies, US aided and supported a military coup of the dictator General Zia against a democratically elected government. When its interests were served, the US packed up and left Afghanistan leaving behind a bloody mess both in Afghanistan and Pakistan (so what else is new?). When a country such as US destroys the institutions of a country to serve its own misguided interests, it sets the country and its people several decades back on the progress timeline. US have been doing this all over the world for quite sometime now without much of a challenge. Perhaps change is on the horizon now, many thanks to the chimp Bush. For all those ignorant people out there, go seek the truth before you breath your last.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Nick Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:52:27 GMT

In response to Shan's post, the US does NOT want to "capture" bin Laden. That's why he was allowed to escape from Afghanistan's Tora Bora region. The bush family is in bed with the bin Laden's. Have been for years. In fact, according to the FBI Top Ten list, bin Laden is not even mentioned as being involved with 9/11. Check the FBI site. Also, I implore everyone to watch the Google video: 911 Press for Truth.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

anthony Salt Lake City — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:53:03 GMT

To Sadie, Kuwait city, Kuwait: Did you have this negative view of America when it liberated Kuwait from Saddam. Why is it that Arabs & Muslims always criticize Americans, yet ALWAYS seem to support terrorists. Israel is always looked upon as being in the wrong when it RESPONDS to terrorist attacks from Palestinian territory. Why is it that terrorists shoot their guns while in a neighborhood filled with woman or children. When we shoot & kill them (and some civilians) you blame our military and not the true cowards who hid behind children. Maybe we should have left you under Saddam's rule!!!!!

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Angra, Allentown PA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:58:44 GMT

Well, If Pakistan would have helped USA with a single motivation of eradication of terrorism within or outside its borders by now Osama would have been in America's net but I cannot understand why in the world Pakistan does want to keep the entire lot of terrorists in its lap. If Ameirca had bombed Pakistan before bombing Afganistan it would have been better for the world and then Iran… Iraq was a mistake.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:59:11 GMT

I cannot understand why the US does not get it. Pakistan is only interested in extracting billions of dollars from the US. We give them the Billions and they laugh at us. They will use these same dollars to terrorize the US and other countries. The US should wizen up. Pakistan is not a friend. Their own Government is involved in training the terrorists and releasing them to the world to commit massive harm to the citizens of the worlds. As evident recently from the news, Pak Govt and Pak Military continue to deny having a hand in this. Why was Khan, the nuclear guy, allowed to keep his millions. Yes because they are getting the money from the US very easily by falsely allying with the US. They are certainly not a friend of the US. Only a friend to extract money. It is also not in their interest to see Afghanistan stand on its own feet and prosper. They are afraid that if Afghanistan does become prosperous, they will ally with India and Pakistan will become a middle of a sandwich and be squashed from both sides. That is why Pakistan is playing these games. Keep blaming Afghanistan to divert attention. Also, it is obvious the most wanted terrorists are hiding in Pakistan and Pakistan is giving sanctuary to them. Pakistan is thowing a morsel at the US when it catches a small time guy; keeping the big guys hidden so that they can use it as a bargaining chip to extract another 6 billion dollars from the US. Wizen up THE USA. Wizen up THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Franky — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:59:21 GMT

People open up your mind. The whole situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and so on in the third world countries.. are the creation of big Corporations and Media. The way they destabilize the country is by buying and corrupting politician in the third world country. They are making billons of dollars by keeping countries destabilized. Defense companies selling ammunitions and other defense equipments to US and other governments. Oil companies are taking advantage by speculating in oil market and breaking all time records in profit making. Media Companies are making splashes of breaking news and getting paid big bucks by advertisers.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Ejaz, New Orleans, LA — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:01:46 GMT

If you think Pakistan is a failed state today, you should consider what it will be like in a couple of decades. Pakistan's demographics are terrifying - 160 million people, over 90% illiteracy and a population growth rate over 3%, in a land mass roughly the size of Texas and Oklahoma. The military is bloated and corrupt and it controls all the levers of economic and political power. The economy is currently riding the emerging market rebound but there is widespread intolerance and lawlessness.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

JH, Chicago, IL — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:17:24 GMT

First, I'd like to applaud all of the Governmental Cabinet members with all of the Top Secret intel, and the clairvoyants that know what other people, ney, entire groups of people, are thinking. Okay, enough sarcasm. The entire middle eastern region of the world, as history tells us, has been wrought with violence for THOUSANDS of years. Hmmm... The Crusades? For all of you God fearing, violence hating Christians. Many cultures of the region are at least as old. The US is a baby by comparison, yet, for all intents and purposes, the US has flourished. So, some 300+ years ago, a bunch of folks (Pilgrims), tired of the religious persecution in Europe (now this is sounding familiar) jumped on a boat, risked everything, sailed across an ocean for months, not really knowing what was at the other end. Some 300+ years later, look where we are. The success of the USA is because of it's diversity. At least in my history classes, we had our share of issues "growing up", so why can't other country's. I think "Jihad" is simply an excuse for 1) Tribal leaders (bullies) to maintain wealth and control, and 2) for the putrid coward Osama Bin Laden's temper tantrum after being disrespected by Saudi Arabia when they asked the US to help liberate Kuwait instead of letting the US trained and armed Bin Laden and his "Freedom Fighters" free Kuwait. But that's just my opinion. I think the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a similar excuse. I'm not personally a big Israel fan either and I certainly don't agree with the US's unequivocal support of Israel. History, again, shows welcome acceptance of Jews back into Palestine at the turn of the century. But the Jews took advantage and after being "given" Israel after WWII, essentially closed it borders and threw out the native Palestinians (if you go back far enough, Jews were originally from the same geographic area, as was pretty much all of mankind). Israel claims that Palestinians living in Israel enjoy a higher standard of living, but compared to what? It's kind of like us saying that a Black or Hispanic man in the US enjoys a higher standard of living... compared to Mexico and most parts of Africa? Absolutely, but it's still not anywhere, in general, the standard of living of the majority Caucasian population!! Israel is highly discriminatory against Palestinians. So enough of the excuses. As a friend of mine from the Middle East explained, the "religious" fighting in the region is like a really big gang war. And each "warlord" is seeking more wealth and power. Since one man (or woman) will never be able to control the entire region, the fighting will never stop... PERIOD. The fighting, regardless of contemporary reasons, is rooted in thousands of years of conflict. Terrorists, like drive-by gang shooters here in the US, are cowards. If you really want to fight, step up... toe to toe... identify yourself. Ironically, many of the Islamic Fundamentalists (Taliban) think that people should live as Mohammad, so they don't have structured education, but enforce their beliefs with guns?!? I didn't know Mohammad had guns. Unfortunately, terrorists, as part of their collective modus operandi, hide among us, waiting to strike. Terrorists, just like our domestic gangs, can not be totally eradicated until the common people providing their refuge refuse to harbor the fugitives and expose them for what they are. It will take more Pilgrims. Sorry for the ramble. If I offended anyone it was not intentional, and I do apologize.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:22:28 GMT

To all the mental morons who say they want to nuke the mideast and frequently state no one would care, I have this question - do you really think all of the SUV owners would care when they couldn't get gas?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

AM, Los Angeles — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:26:43 GMT

SKM - you are very right !! Also, from all the comments here, it is pretty clear that over 99% of the world believes whats going in Pakistan. If US politicians dont have the cultural background then please consult EU leaders and see what they say about this matter. They probably want US to learn from her own mistakes !! India has been constantly suffering because of Pakistan military-islamist junta. Even a man on the street knows this. Still over the last 50 years US never trusted India and its foreign policy. Many times US had talked about India and Pakistan as if both the countries were equal. We hope the present bend of US towards India is for its true value and NOT because of economic interests alone, as US is famously known for. It is time for US to grow up and really prove to the world that it really deserves the respect that it demands.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Rusty — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:28:38 GMT

Pakistan was born with a cancer and the only cure is to eradicate it. There is overwhelming evedince that this cancer is spreading all over the world. The current blind attitude will bear the consequences all cancers call for.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Dennis, Amery WI — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:50:54 GMT

It never ceases to amaze me how in america we can use the freedom of speech to show the world how stupid we can be. If you want to know about pakistan then go and see for your self but never trust a government that can lie a country into war about who are friends are or our enemies. One day we will all pay the price for our ignorance and hatred of each other.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Chris, san jose, ca — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 22:36:31 GMT

Interestingly enough us Americans are surprised that we 'say' pakistan is not doing it's end of the deal. I suppose if we gave them the 77 F-16 fighter jets we owe them, and helped them for all the times that they stood by our side when no one else would, then maybe we could trust them to do their end of the deal. Essentially the US screwed itself over in the past, now they are in a position that they are currently in with the rest of the world they are doing the same. History does repeat itself. Americans are very ignorant to the rest of the world, not that it is our fault, but the govt. gives us wrong information. Pakistan is a great country, not too devoloped but they are trying. With a history like they have had, it is a bit hard. Of course they are raising economically. I do suggest that the next time the US gives weapons away and the CIA trains someone.. like Osama Bin Laden, they know whats going to come to them. Ignorance is not always bliss. ;)

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Vivek, Norman, OK — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 23:08:06 GMT

Well, the topic was - US-Pak friendship. Why are people bringing India into it? Or is their (US & Pak) friendsship somehow dependant on India? If you want to discuss Indo-Pak relations then you must also observe that for most of its existence, Pakistan has stood for: a)being Anti-India b) Export of Jihadists to Afghanistan, Chechnya, Sudan, Ujghur (Xinjiang Province of China) and to Kashmir. Little wonder then that all terrorists have passed through Pakistan at one time or the other. The Pakistanis keep denying it yet stand accused every time there is an act of terrorism anywhere in the world. Paksitan has tried since 1947 to wrest control of Kashmir from India - and has failed miserably everytime. I would urge people to read the UN documents and find out how the UN castigated the Pakistanis for - marking their troops as being on leave and then pushing them into India disguised as Mujahideen in 1947-48, how Pakistani officers were found to be involved in distributing weapons to these so-called Mujahideen, how the Maharaja of Kashmir was negotiating a "standstill" agreement with Pakistan when the Mujahideen were sent in as Paksitan lost its patience and threw off the make-believe benevolence, how Pakistan was opposed (unlike Nehru who wanted to use that as a criteria) to the will of the people and instead wanted to influence the Maharaja of Kashmir into aceding to Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten said once that it was Pakistan that complicated matters and that he had total authority from the infant Indian Government to arrive at a settlement with Paksitan. Why don't the Paksitanis try to solve their day-to-day problems of poverty, corruption, dictatorship and illiteracy instead of focussing only on Jihad. Why don't Paksitanis use American help to promote Science and Technology in Pakistan instead of using US aid to buy the latest weapons. The Pakistanis want Kashmir - and then what? When the average Paksitani cannot elect his or her leader, what hope do they hold out for the Kashmiris? Also what is this Kashmir that Paksitan has been seeking so desparately for the last 6 decades? Two-thirds of the Kashmir valley is in Paksitani control. A portion of that was ceded by Paksitan to China. The Indian Kashmir comprises - Kashmir valley (from where Hindus have been brutalised and driven out), Jammu ( Hindu majority area) and Ladakh ( Buddhist majority area). Jammu and Ladakh do not want to be a part of kashmir. The facts on the ground are that of the muslim majority area, Pakistan already is in (illegal) possession and control of two-thirds. The Kashmir valley with India is but a third of the total valley. UN resolutions require that all of Kashmir should be handed over to India and be in Indian control as a precondition. Then and only then there will be a referendum in the entire valley. And with Hindu majority in Jammu and buddhist majority in Ladakh, these will vote to remain with India. Of the valley, with voting from the Pandits (brutally driven out by terrorists), I daresay, that the outcome will be as it is today - 2/3 with Pakistan and 1/3 with India. So what you see is no fight for the Kashmiris but a fight from Pakistan to gain "strategic depth" using religion as a means to achive this aim. That was their intention in Afghanistan and that is their intention in Kashmir. It is time that the world saw Paksitan's game and put a stop to their export of violence all over.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Wong — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 23:54:52 GMT

Let's not blame any country in the world. All these problems started right here at home. Our corrupt politicians create dictators (like Saddam Hussain) around the world to serve their own selfish interests. And, when they get too big for their britches, they label them terrorists and send our innocent 20-year olds to bomb them and die in the action.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Faisal Abbasi — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:48:45 GMT

Perry Honeycutt Get off your high horse and go to school get some education then join civilized people in discussion people like you have made American look ignorent.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Shan, San Francisco, CA — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 01:00:37 GMT

"Nuke the middle east till it glowes you will never fix that area"...... Very unfortuante. I wonder who is more voilent here.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Jack Hats, Poughkeepsie, New York — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:04:40 GMT

For a comprehensive discussion of this problem in its historical context, with a policy-prescriptive conclusion, see Vanni Cappelli's essay "Containing Pakistan: Engaging the Raja-Mandala in South-Central Asia", in the current (Winter 2007) issue of "Orbis". Soon to be online at www.fpri.org

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Senth — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 06:33:09 GMT

It is agreeable that to evade and push out soviets the terror or freedom lovers were encouraged jointly by saudis,pak and US.But after soviets left who were all the ones contiued with the practice of "Gun Civilization" and "Madrassa syllabi". Did these partonisers of these agenda realise that they are just perpetuating terrorism for ever?. Now afgans do not really have anything.If PAk and saudi are really supporting Muslims let them give good clothing,food,shelter,clean water, sanitation,health programm with their enormous money and tact.But these two "THUGS" have given and supported "Weapon Culture" and named it under Religion and now have created a "HELL A LOT OF PROBLEM" to the whole world.And whether fortunately or UNfortunately US has as well got its hands burnt by alligning with these senseless thugs.The most dangerous thing is they also have a NUKE so FUNNY and FANTASTIC!!!!!!NOw all around have lost sleep because of these two thugs.America is though not a main role player has indeed done some wrong because of its wrong or short sighted visons of their past presidents starting from Regan.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

spectator. — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 06:45:50 GMT

OBL is very safe secure,sound and enjoing retreat with vacation along the fertile Indus River banks and making merry and further plots in a grand manner with active support of ISI in PAK.There is no doubt in this.The most pitiable are the afgan masses. The most unfortunate are the masses in pakistan and the soldiers of NAto/america and their mothers.The most cunning jackals are the ruling elite of Pak. The most fools are the presidents of america.The most blood sucking criminals and vandals are ISI. GOD save pitiable afgans,unfortunate pak masses and soldiers of nato and their mothers.Let rulling jakals and criminals of ISI be punished by god. LEt the presidents of america be enlightened by God to help them make decisions with long sight and wisdom. WILL These all happen to end the misery?. HUMM lets see. a spectator.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Waqas — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 08:14:25 GMT

Well Sam, what you and others do not know is that these so called militants were being trained inside Pakistan by American government agencies throughout the 80s to fight against "foreign occupation" of their country. But of course they were dubbed as freedom fighters then cause they were supprting US and fighting your proxy war. This is exactly what these people are still doing i.e."fighting foreign occupation" of their homeland. If the US is worried now and as are all of you, why in the first place did you abandon Pakistan and these freedom fighters when former USSR collapsed? You all did so because you were/are never concerned in the first place as to what becomes of your so called friends & allies when they have completed your dirty work.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

fahd khan,san jose ca — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 09:36:06 GMT

so i'm going to send this out hoping someone would read this.. why have you not posted my other two comments? I did not write anything offensive, it had to do with the topic, and were not attacking comments. Were they just too factual? maybe I should ease up a bit? considering 'john doe, islamabad, pakistan' wrote F***ing, and many of the other comments were from ignorant people on both ends of the deal that cannot spell properly.. so whats the deal?

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

LK — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 16:37:13 GMT

The US foreign policy on Israel/Palestine conflict is one of the major root cause of today's terrorism. Until the US changes its bias policy, the cause for fighting for their country, culture and religion will continue, from one generation to another. The US maybe the only supersuper in the world, they can destroy lifes and countries. But, they CANNOT bend the will of people. That's why you see the continuation of terrorism despite what US has done so far.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

John, McKinney TX — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 17:36:15 GMT

Why complicate it? Right makes might. Start doing the right things and you will have no worries. Otherwise you can move the enemy to the next country from the one you cleanse. Be like the Romans, push the frontier till it starts collasping and pushing back at you.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

dom — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 17:54:33 GMT

Mainstream Pakistanis love the west and American culture. In the big cities they enjoy relative freedom and western culture. Mushariff is the only thing that stands in the way of the radicalization of Pakistan. If this happens the world will have no nightmares left, they will be realized. Whatever you've heard the majority love us. It is the minority that hate us, the extremists. Pakistan has been invaluable to us in there support post 911. No freedom loving American should like the way Mushariff came to power but he is our allie. At the very least the enemy of my enemy is my friend. We could do a lot worse.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Niburu — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 20:55:21 GMT

Remember Musharaf the president of Pakistan wrote a autobiography, and claimed Bush threatened him to follow the anti-terrorist plans or the US would bomb the c**p out of them. This is the only muslim country that has nukes... so we should really pay attention to what the hell we're doing in their backyard. God knows if they are hiding Bin Laden, or does US even care about that guy anymore? Iran is catching up, fast.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

D. Williams,Denver,Colorado — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:15:07 GMT

If there is one known terrorist camp in Pakistan or anywhere else in the world, than they support terrorism. Defending these people and putting down the U.S. is supporting terrorists. I do not always agree with the choices the U.S. has made or continues to make but we are at war with these criminals and it is time to eliminate them. What is that terrorists want any way? The answer is to go back in time when every man, woman and child lived with fear under the rule of thousands of warlords all over the world who ruled with an iron fist! Today the world has many faults and the changes come painfully slow, but there is some stability to the world unrealised in the past by getting rid of the petty dictators and warlords. There is still the problem of the terrorists who want to cling the past and the bottom line is to get rid of them at all costs!

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

M.A — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:53:58 GMT

Reading comments one gets the impression an organized compaign of the scale of 1970/71 is upon Pakistan once more. Whatever the outcome of this compaign world will be less secure and peaceful. Will we ever learn to use the soft power to solve problems facing the humanity? What if half a trillion dollars waisted in Iraq were used to solve hot spots lingering on in the Islamic world for over half a century. Don't you think that would have a wiser investment for trust. Would we ever stop thinking from a position of might, power, and arrogance. Be a human of kind heart.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

A Khan, SJose, California, — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:06:41 GMT

In todays global scenarios, all terriorists regardless of their origin, are to be taken to task for a peaceful world. And this peace should be the central piece in coalation between USA and Pak; shall also induct all others (Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all). In a way we all are custodians of world peace, Amen.

Pakistan and U.S. - still best of friends?

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 20:05:30 GMT

In 3 jaar tijd afkomen van je schulden