pakistan is our enemy, and that is all there is to it.
Screw them!
I agree that Pakistan is an enemy. But that does not make our approach to them any simpler. Certainly the Obama administration’s vacillation on all things Pakistani (similar to the Bush approach) is not going to work, but there is one factor that makes this even more complex.
Nuclear weapons.
“Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons? “ (Vic Deakins, Broken Arrow)
The Pakistani ISI developed and supported bin laden has his terrorist organization in the 1980s. They were the original source of money, supplies, training, and safe camps. After the Russians retreated from Afghanistan the ISI continued to support bin Laden because they saw him as a deniable resource in the fight with India over Kashmir.
The ISI, and hence the Pakistani government, felt that bi Laden was more important to them than American support.
They lost.
Time for the loser, the ISI and the Pakistani government, to pay the penalty for losing. Once that meant you became a province or protectorate of the winner. Today it should mean total and long term loss of American support.
AS for hampering Pakistan’s ability to support us in our fight against terrorism, isn't that a null statement to begin with?
It's nuclear weapons insurance. And cheaper than the alternative.
It’s time to quit paying Pakistan to pretend to be our friend. I’d rather give our lunch money to some other bully - - until a Republican with a pair can get elected.