What should the US policy be towards Pakistan?

[MillCreek]

My wife and I were discussing the third Presidential debate and the question about Pakistan.  Billions of dollars a year that we give them in foreign aid to them, and they are not the most reliable ally by a long shot.  I have also thought that if any conflict in the world goes nuclear, India vs. Pakistan would be right at the top of the list.  Especially after we leave Afghanistan, does the US have a vested interest in continuing financial support of Pakistan and their intelligence service, who seems to be actively working against us?  I think that we would be better off in supporting India over Pakistan.

[Ron]

My wife and I were discussing the third Presidential debate and the question about Pakistan.  Billions of dollars a year that we give them in foreign aid to them, and they are not the most reliable ally by a long shot.  I have also thought that if any conflict in the world goes nuclear, India vs. Pakistan would be right at the top of the list.  Especially after we leave Afghanistan, does the US have a vested interest in continuing financial support of Pakistan and their intelligence service, who seems to be actively working against us?  I think that we would be better off in supporting India over Pakistan.

^ My thoughts exactly. Foreign aid only to allies who need the help. Foreign aid is just another sink hole that needs to be stopped. Maybe not cold turkey but lets wind it down over a short timetable.

[Jamisjockey]

Considering we borrow most of the money we spend, foriegn aid must die.  Any policy that does not include that is made of pure fail.

[Boomhauer]

Cut the money flow. Only a *expletive deleted*ing retard pays his enemies money.

[Jamisjockey]

Cut the money flow. Only a *expletive deleted* retard pays his enemies money.

And yet its been the lynchpin of US foriegn policy for years.

[AZRedhawk44]

I'm with you guys on the foreign aid gut reaction, and I get it... and I agree that we have a major budget problem.

But about 7-8 years ago (IIRC), Pakistan had a coup.

Our foreign aid was part of what kept us "in the loop" in regards to the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal during that coup.

In that case, it was money well spent.

[longeyes]

Bribes, in dealing with certain cultures, have their place, but the calculation must pay off in terms of worse alternatives.  Ours, by and large, don't seem to have.  Anywhere.

[SADShooter]

Bribes, in dealing with certain cultures, have their place, but the calculation must pay off in terms of worse alternatives.  Ours, by and large, don't seem to have.  Anywhere.

+1. The carrot is a worthwhile incentive. It should be earned, though, and balanced with an appropriate stick in cases of treachery or duplicity.

[Hawkmoon]

Considering we borrow most of the money we spend, foriegn aid must die.  Any policy that does not include that is made of pure fail.

Quoted for truth.

Would any sane person whose credit cards are all maxed out and who is facing foreclosure on his house BORROW money to give at church on Sunday? We can't afford to be doling out foreign aid, and it's especially idiotic to be giving money to countries who hate us and who work against us.

[Hawkmoon]

In that case, it was money well spent.

Why/how was it money well spent? Pakistan wouldn't have tried to nuke the USA -- if they had tried to nuke anyone, it would have been India -- and if that had happened we wouldn't be discussing Pakistan right now.

[MillCreek]

If I recall correctly from my reading back then, we were concerned that the Pakistani nuclear weapons may end up in the hands of Islamic terrorists or to the highest bidder.  I had read that the US and UK had developed contingency plans for using special forces to either seize and remove from the country, or destroy in place, the weapons.  We were apparently going to stage out of India, who would have denied any knowledge of the operation.

[RoadKingLarry]

You're either with us or against us we will continue to put up with tacit and even material support of terrorists known to be hostile to US interests and all the while continuing to provide millions of American dollars to suport you corrupt regime...



Oh,, wait

That's pretty much what we do now isn't it?

[Hutch]

Effum and the white horse they rode in on.  On the way out the door I'd remind 'em that we know here the live, and that it would go badly for them, did any nukage leak out of their control.  Oh, very, VERY badly indeed.

They play North Vietnam to the Taliban Vietcong.  I gnash my teeth I anger as I consider their despicable behavior.  There are fresh widows and orphans weeping because of those pissants.

[vaskidmark]

The problem with foreign aid today seems to be that we do not have anyone we are competing againast for their "loyalty".  Back when there was an Evil Empire there was a contest for whose side a country was going to be on.  Nowdays we are reduced to importing money that represents the trappings of The Great Satan to counter a political system using a religion as cover who hates our way of life probably because they can't have it.  (very simplified description of the whole mess)

So who are we paying the Pakis (and all the others) to like us better than?

stay safe.

[drewtam]

How do we have a coherent policy toward an incoherent country?

Is this not the fundamental problem with all of our middle east "partners" and "allies"?

Any policy will inevitably be piecemeal / Frankenstein's monster.

[RoadKingLarry]

The problem with foreign aid today seems to be that we do not have anyone we are competing againast for their "loyalty".  Back when there was an Evil Empire there was a contest for whose side a country was going to be on.  Nowdays we are reduced to importing money that represents the trappings of The Great Satan to counter a political system using a religion as cover who hates our way of life probably because they can't have it.  (very simplified description of the whole mess)

So who are we paying the Pakis (and all the others) to like us better than?

stay safe.

I'd bet that China and Russia are still very much in the game.
The notion that the Cold War is ancient history is nonsense. The players shifted position a little but the games go on.