C. Christine Fair: Pakistan, the Taliban and Regional Security

Prof. C. Christine Fair, among other things, says that a possible evolution to democracy with civilian supremacy in Pakistan requires that America tear up its check-book, both in bilateral aid and via the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The (Re)construction of a liberal Pakistan

David Igntius's Washington Post column, "Our high-maintenance relationship with Pakistan",

Why did it take Washington more than seven months to apologize for the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers? But you know the answer: It’s because the United States and Pakistan have the most neurotic, mutually destructive “friendly” relationship in the world.

provoked this response from a reader, indianobserver:

See, till May 1 2011, Pakistan Army was a liberal moderate army of professional soldiers whether on CNN or in far reaches of left and right wing blogs. May 2 after Bin Laden was killed it was difficult for Pak Army to be moderate and liberal but everyone tried, whether on CNN or in far reaches of left and right wing blogs. But plausible deniability Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall. Here's a suggestion on how to get the plausible deniability Humpty Dumpty together again. Write a couple of articles iin WP/NYT on attending a private party in Lahore where you meet all these well speaking Ivy League returns quoting the Greek classics especially a impeccably dressed young nubile one who speaks eloquently on moderation in Islam and running a business/teaching Faust(all ingredients are required). Or you could go to Karachi and report on a fashion show or TV studio where you meet all these well speaking Ivy League returns quoting the Greek classics especially a impeccably dressed young nubile one who speaks eloquently on moderation in Islam and running a business/teaching Faust(all ingredients are required). Do a couple of those articles, and Pakistan Army can go back to being liberal moderate and professional on CNN and in far reaches of right and left wing blogs. I am sure making this sound authentic is within your creative reach. Mr Haqqani will help you get the details right.

America's failed Pakistan policy

C Christine Fair wakes up to the failure of American policy with respect to Pakistan.

At long last, it seems, various agencies of the United States government have come to the conclusion that Pakistan cannot be changed. Islamabad's behavior in the region will remain staunchly pegged to its antipathy toward New Delhi. It will pursue policies that threaten the integrity of the Pakistani state for no other reason but the chimerical objective of resisting the obvious rise of India, while clinging to the delusion that it is India's peer competitor -- despite obvious and ever-growing disparities

Fair outlines some new policy prescriptions, and then,

While some may view these offerings as unreasonable, reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible, it is equally fair to ask whether Washington's decades of policies toward Pakistan have been unreasonable, dangerous, and irresponsible? Moreover, what good have they accomplished?

My take is (1) late to the party, but finally arrived and (2) yes, Washington's decades of policy towards Pakistan have been unreasonable, dangerous and irresponsible.

American Enterprise Institute on Pakistan

http://www.aei.org/events/2011/11/30/military-reform-in-pakistan-will-the-army-allow-politicians-to-rule/

Video only, no transcript.

How Pakistan Negotiates with the US

Book announcement. 

( How Pakistan Negotiates with the United States - Riding the Roller Coaster by Howard B. Schaffer and Teresita C. Schaffer)

Q&A with the authors.

....negotiators cultivate what one might call “the art of the guilt trip.” Important negotiations usually involve a major effort to create a sense of obligation on the part of the United States or to nurture and intensify the fear that failure to honor Pakistan’s requests will lead to disastrous consequences for U.S. interests.

Excerpt in The Hindu.