The Latest U.S.-Pakistan Deal -- Wall Street JournalIslamabad backs down as its anti-Americanism exacts a diplomatic price.
Pakistan is spinning the deal with the U.S. to reopen NATO supply routes to Afghanistan as a triumph of its diplomacy. But it was Islamabad that climbed down from its extortionate demands and accepted the status quo ante. That's a big change from previous situations when it was able to extort more aid out of Washington.
The deal ended a seven month-long diplomatic standoff that began with a NATO incident on the Af-Pak border in November and led to the closing of land routes through Pakistan. Islamabad sought a full apology from the U.S. for provoking the firefight in which 24 Pakistani troops died. But Washington says the Pakistanis opened fire first in the border clash, and even now it offers a carefully worded statement that it's "sorry for the losses."
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My Comment: I concur with this analysis. Pakistan changed its stance when the following happened: (1) Russia agreed to act as a transit station for NATO forces and equipment to Afghanistan. (2) U.S. opening doors with India. (3) Cutting and/or holding back aid to Pakistan. (4) Other powers .... most notably China .... reacted coolly when Pakistan tried to use them as an alternative to the U.S.
But I must also concede that all of this "good-will" can quickly evaporate when the next crisis occurs .... and trust me .... the next crisis will occur.
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