Get the Proof First

C. Christine Fair

C. Christine Fair is an assistant professor in the Center for Peace and Security Studies at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown. She served as a political officer to the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan.

Updated May 11, 2011, 11:56 AM

The U.S.-Pakistan relationship "makes less and less sense," Dianne Feinstein, the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on Monday. She and other members of Congress are questioning the utility if not wisdom of continuing to invest in Pakistan’s people and government.

The only hope for Pakistan’s future is continued investment in its people and civilian institutions.

The responses of Pakistan’s political and military establishments have not helped. They have chosen to accuse the U.S. of infringing on the country's sovereignty, for the Navy Seals' raid on Osama bin Laden's capacious compound in the garrison town of Abbottabad , rather than focus on his ability to hide in plain sight for six years and mightily infringe on Pakistan’s sovereignty himself.

That said, while Pakistan is busy deflecting criticism, all accounts and statements attesting to Pakistan’s official facilitation of Bin Laden’s presence are speculative. The United States had been monitoring the house since August 2010 and had even erected a C.I.A. house to do so. If there was credible evidence of Pakistani facilitation, the U.S. government should say so. If there is no evidence, then speculation is reckless and may push Pakistan into a position where reclaiming a modicum of collaboration will be impossible in the wake of the humiliation of the country and its institutions.

What is required right now is cool-headed investigation into what happened, how it happened and with what government facilitation. To cut off aid to Pakistan based on unsubstantiated speculation would be a strategic bungle.

Washington has few options but to engage Pakistan. If it declares Pakistan an enemy, what will be the consequences? Washington cannot put together adequate political carrots and meaningful sticks to compel Pakistan to abandon its reliance on militants because Washington lacks the will. In the absence of other obvious alternatives,
Washington needs to step up engagement to secure U.S. interests, be it against proliferation of nuclear technology, terrorism, or both. The only hope for Pakistan’s future is continued investment in its people and civilian institutions albeit with greater clarity of purpose, efficacy and attention to outcomes.

Topics: Military, Osama bin Laden, Pakistan, Politics, budgets and budgeting, foreign aid

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