By Michael Georgy
ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (Reuters) - American Vice President Joe Biden is in Pakistan to pressure the long-time ally to intensify its crackdown on militants.
But, as usual, the United States will have to tread cautiously, putting aside its frustrations as it tries to turn an unstable country into a more reliable partner.
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Here are some questions and answers on uneasy U.S.-Pakistani relations.
WHY IS THE UNITED STATES FRUSTRATED WITH PAKISTAN?
Under immense pressure from Washington, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made the highly unpopular decision to join the U.S. war on al Qaeda following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The alliance failed to pacify the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the United States.
Nine years later, it's known as one of the most dangerous places in the world, a nerve centre for a variety of of militant groups who cross over the border to attack U.S.-led NATO and Afghan troops in Afghanistan or plot against the Pakistani government. Ambitious militants inspired by Osama bin Laden's calls for global holy war train there.
Biden, on his first visit here as vice president, is on a familiar mission. U.S. leaders and officials usually dangle more military, economic and intelligence support, hoping Pakistan will reciprocate by cracking down harder on militants.
Mistrust and conflicting interests usually strain their marriage of convenience after each round of talks.
That cooperation is needed more than ever. The Obama administration hopes to reverse the tide of the war in Afghanistan before a troop withdrawal starts in 2011.
The true test, this time, will be whether Pakistan's military will cave in to U.S. pressure to launch a full-scale offensive in North Waziristan to go after the Haqqani militant network -- one of the United States's most feared foes in Afghanistan.
Pakistan sees the Haqqani network as a counterweight to rival India's growing influence in Afghanistan. Pakistani officials won't say that in talks with Biden, but it's always understood. Washington is always trying to gauge Pakistan's long-term commitment to eliminating militancy. Islamabad is seeking assurances that the United States will provide more support.
CAN PAKISTAN EVER BE A RELIABLE PARTNER?
Unlikely, because Pakistan is gripped by one crisis after another. The latest one erupted after a critical party defected from Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani's ruling coalition. Political troubles seemed more serious than ever. Then a liberal governor was shot dead by a police bodyguard incensed by his campaign to change Pakistan's anti-blasphemy law. That stark reminder that religious extremism is spreading in the nuclear-armed country is likely to raise further doubts on whether Pakistan can be stable enough to be a reliable partner.
Pakistan's government quickly caved in to opposition demands and put off IMF reforms -- defusing the crisis but disappointing the United States and other Western donors who are likely to take that into account when making future Pakistan policy.
That kind of chronic uncertainty means Pakistan will remain consumed by internal political strife, curtailing its ability to work with its allies.
DOES PAKISTANI PUBLIC OPINION HAMPER THE UNITED STATES?
Yes. For all its flaws, Pakistan's democracy must respond to public opinion. Anti-American sentiment runs high. The United States is seen as an unreliable ally after walking away from the region after Pakistan helped anti-Soviet Afghan guerrillas drive Soviet forces from Afghanistan in the 1980s. The United States is unlikely to ease up on intensified U.S. drone aircraft missile strikes designed to kill high-profile militants in northwest Pakistan. The attacks, and U.S. pressure for tougher measures against militants, often create the impression that Pakistan is fighting America's war, not its own.
Until the Pakistani public is convinced that U.S. interests align with Pakistan's, Washington will struggle. (For more Reuters coverage of Pakistan, see: http://www.reuters.com/places/pakistan) (If you have a query or comment about this story, send an e-mail to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com)
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