International

The United States Sending Aid in Pakistan

Paulina Sagter

The United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton has verified her plan to provide Pakistan with two billion dollars in aid to help suppress the violence of Pakistani militants. This is not the first time the United States has sent aid to Pakistan, but it is the first time the aid has been structured as a five year plan that will pay for equipment needed in counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations, among other things. This plan is meant to show Pakistan that it can rely on the U.S. for long term support in their fight against counter-insurgency groups. Vali Nasr a senior advisor on Pakistan and Afghanistan in the State Department has said that the battle against Pakistani militants has expanded over the past year but the summer’s monsoon floods have crippled the Pakistani Army and undone a lot of their efforts against them. Although these efforts seemed promising, there is concern in Washington over how long term their progress will be. A White Hose Report sent to Congress stated "The Pakistan military continued to avoid military engagements that would put it in direct conflict with Afghan Taliban or al-Qaeda's forces in North Waziristan," referring to the region in north-western Pakistan seen as a Taliban and al-Qaeda haven. Washington officials have expressed that Pakistan’s inability to control terrorist groups is just as much a political problem as is ineffective and underequipped military forces. In regards to the cross-border attack, Pakistani officials have assured Washington that the solution is not pulling U.S. investment out but rather to help strengthen Pakistan’s military to build trust and ensure peace for the future.

• Counter-insurgency: political and military action to suppress rebellion.
• Pakistan’s Monsoon Floods: a flood caused by summer monsoons in the areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. More than 400 deaths, and 400,000 displaced from their homes.
• North Waziristan: mountainous region of Northwest Pakistan.
• Cross-Border Attack: U.S air raid that killed over 30 Pakistani insurgents, caused increased violence from Pakistani militants against NATO forces.

Additional Reading

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/