Not So Fast

Guess who is pushing for even more U.S. money and military equipment? That's right, Pakistan. According to the Washington Post, Pakistan wants the U.S. to "expedite" more aid, including such things as attack helicopters, advanced communications gear, night vision equipment, and of course lots of money -- all to support their counterterrorism efforts. They also want to be included in U.S. planning for operations in the border region. The Post notes that the Obama administration strongly supports increased aid to Pakistan, as does Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry.

Here's a better idea. How about we reassess exactly what we are getting for our money before giving even more? What about demanding some concrete results rather than letting Pakistan make demands of the U.S.? Pakistan has a huge military, but it can't even control an entire section of its own country along the Afghan border. A substantial segment of its population actively supports Islamic terrorism, and Islamic extremists can be found within the military & security forces, intelligence services, and other arms of government. Pakistan is far more worried about India than it is about fighting terrorism. And they aren't particularly effective when they do fight the terrorists. Watch the video at the bottom of this article. It shows a regular Pakistani army battalion, reinforced with armor and backed by air support, precipitously retreating after a clash with Taliban forces.

Giving more aid to Pakistan is pouring good money after bad, and the results are likely to be the same. In addition, military aid to Pakistan seriously annoys India -- for good reason. Pakistan harbors terrorists who strike into India, and who operate in the Kashmir, while at the same time claiming to be a U.S. ally in the War on Terror. If we just keep giving them what they ask for, as fast as possible, why do they have any incentive to do anything differently?