This is not the first time I've talked about Pakistan, infact the country I've talked about the most here and for good reason. A bit more than 3 years ago I posted this - Pakistan is an ally?. Wow a whole lot sure has changed since then. Most significant is the historic raid that took down the most wanted man in the world of 10 years and set of a chain of events that followed with, well lets just say some tension between the US and Pakistan.
Whatever they say publicly, it seems quite apparent neither side will, under these conditions, be able to trust either that much again. Problem is status quo is also not acceptable to either. Pakistan kicked out CIA trainers and other measures, in response we cut aid. But the one that caught my eye is something we were nervous about after the raid, the "stealth helicopter".
Pakistan 'gave China access to bin Laden raid helicopter'
Not to say that it is very surprising, because it's not. But one would think this is quite significant, to threaten like Pakistan did before regarding this helicopter but they actually acted on it. This helicopter was not some brand new, unknown super duper secret helicopter. It was a modified Black Hawk with stealth material, but is just as significant. Especially since numerous articles online say that China actually got some of the stealth material - one of the things our military is head and shoulders above all others is our stealth technology and now our main foe (not enemy) has a sample.
The US-Pakistan relationship is a very frustrating and yet very fascinating subject for myself. Yes the United States needs the Pakistan, but in return we put up with them fighting the Taliban to a minimum and allowing safe harbor for people that are directly attacking and killing US soldiers in afghanistan, on more than one occasion had soldiers engage US forces, harbored Bin Laden, the list goes on.
But I always hear "well we need them though" and I agree, but at the same time is there no breaking point? Now China has a piece of our stealth technology and at the same time also shows Pakistan has quite clearly choosen there side. We wanted them on our side and basically give them billions to play ball, barely. Instead they do all those things to us and they still choose china or at the very least, decide to act like a spoiled child and go to China anytime we upset them. Problem is this time it's an act that I don't think any responsible person of government (I know) should allow to happen without action.
Cut the leash. Figure something out, anything else out to supply troops in afghanistan. Heck if it costs us a billion a year we still save a lot of money and a lot of trouble. We've cut some aid but we're reacting to large actions with slaps on the wrists and Pakistan will not learn that way.