Following Adm. Mike Mullen's comments last week characterizing the insurgent Haqqani network as a "veritable arm of the ISI," or Pakistani intelligence service, U.S.-Pakistan relations have spiraled into a series of recriminations. This crisis serves as an opportunity to reframe the relationship between the two countries, as Adm. Mullen said in his testimony. Part of that reframing is a "full-court" press which conditions any further U.S. support on Pakistani action against terrorist networks. Conditions are necessary, but they also risk widening the rift in this essential partnership further. As Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Daniel Markey notes, getting the balance right "won't be easy."

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In an effort to ease tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), with the blessing of the White House, recently visited Islamabad to meet directly with Pakistani officials. That visit produced a concrete deliverable - the return of the tail rotor of the helicopter that malfunctioned during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden - but it occurred as reports of clashes on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and a dispute over U.S. reimbursements for Pakistani military operations once again raised tensions. The hot-and-cold relationship between the two countries belies the fact that, as former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin says, "we need each other. And it's very important to both of our national objectives that we maintain a good relationship." The relationship is too important for loose speculation about Pakistani knowledge of bin Laden's whereabouts.  But the moment is ripe for coolheaded thinking - and private pressure on Pakistan to make tough moves to eradicate extremism-a step that would serve the interest of both countries.

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America found Osama bin Laden hiding practically in plain sight near the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. The suggestion that some parts of the Pakistani government, military or intelligence services were complicit in sheltering the al Qaeda chief is a sobering reminder that Pakistan is an extremely fractured, complicated country. America's interests in Pakistan are similarly complicated. No development can change the fact that America needs a relationship with Pakistan due to its strategic location, large and growing nuclear arsenal and leverage over radical groups. America can, and should, capitalize on bin Laden's capture to pressure the Pakistanis and bolster those in the government who aim to stamp out extremism. That pressure should be based on a sober knowledge of the facts about who in Pakistan was harboring bin Laden - not  speculation or frustration, however genuine.

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen returned today from a trip to Pakistan, as the Pakistani Foreign Minister arrives in Washington. These high-level exchanges are intended to get relations back on track following a tumultuous few months. Frustration is high, but both sides, and bipartisan experts, understand that abandoning the relationship is not an option. As Adm. Mullen said in an interview, "I think that all of us believe that we cannot let this relationship come apart."

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Yesterday, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry (D-MA), traveled to Pakistan to try to soothe relations between our two countries in order to prevent a rift over the arrest of a U.S. embassy employee from becoming a full blown diplomatic crisis. Meanwhile, the Obama administration is exercising a two-pronged strategy to secure the employee's release by publicly calling - in conciliatory language - for Pakistani adherence to its commitments to diplomatic immunity while exerting strong pressure behind the scenes for the employee's release.  At the same time, the administration is aware of the convulsions underway in Pakistani politics, where the government's entire cabinet was recently fired.  Thus the current approach is crucial, as supporting Pakistan's civilian government and avoiding any unnecessary moves that could weaken it is essential to U.S. national security interests. By remaining vigilant and respectful in its support for the embassy employee, the administration is keeping its eye on the bigger picture, which is that an effective American relationship with a stable civilian Pakistani government is preferable to the alternative.

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Vice President Joe Biden's trip to Pakistan comes at an important time for the country and its relations with America.  Pakistan suffers from political turmoil that has been exacerbated by the recent assassination of Salman Taseer, the Governor of Punjab and a leading progressive politician.  This comes at a time of increased strain on the bilateral relationship.  However, as challenging and difficult as the relationship can be, Pakistan remains an important partner for the United States and its efforts to combat violent extremism.  The administration's approach towards Pakistan has been productive.  Bipartisan experts agree that the alternatives would be worse for American interests.   Despite the difficulties and frustrations, continued engagement with Pakistan - and support for its civilian democratic institutions - is vital. 

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The Obama administration's commitment to building a strategic partnership with Pakistan saw two significant developments this weekend: the inking of a Pakistan-Afghanistan trade pact 45 years in the making, and the unveiling of a substantial new aid package.  Attention to the partnership has accrued clear benefits for US security: militants operating in the region are under unprecedented pressure, with more suspected militants taken out in the first 15 months of Obama's presidency than in the last five years of the Bush administration. Improved intelligence cooperation was on display in the crackdown that followed the Faisal Shahzad arrest. And Pakistan has taken action against militants operating within its borders, which threaten the U.S.-led mission in Afghanistan.

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Two separate attacks took place in Northwest Pakistan this morning, including one against the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar.  Following an attack on a political ceremony held in Lower Dir, militants, believed to be members of the Pakistani Taliban, assaulted the consulate with bombs and rocket launchers.  While there were no reported U.S. casualties, a local police official reported that four militants and three Pakistani security personnel had been killed. The Pakistani Taliban took credit for the attacks, reportedly claiming that they were in reprisal for the wave of drone strikes conducted on militants operating along the country's border with Afghanistan.  These attacks reaffirm the importance of the Obama administration's engagement policy towards Pakistan. 

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Today marks the commencement of the first ever, ministerial-level strategic dialogue between the United States and Pakistan.  The dialogue - which will unfold over the next two days and will consist of broad-based discussions covering bilateral topics ranging from Afghanistan and terrorism, to development and economic assistance, to energy and water - confirms that the Obama administration is moving the relationship from a state of drift, as characterized by the previous Bush administration's failed policy there, to a state of clear headed action.  The affirmation of the importance that the U.S. places on its relationship with Pakistan, as symbolized by the strategic dialogue, follows more than a year of constructive engagement that is beginning to pay dividends.  However, potential pitfalls looming on the horizon, as well as recent history suggest that trumpeting such accomplishments at this point is premature.  In particular, the Administration would be wise to remember that Pakistan's interests do not always align with those of the U.S.

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Yesterday, India and Pakistan reopened talks, following over a year of elevated tensions in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Both Secretary of State Clinton and Secretary of Defense Gates have welcomed the resumption of diplomacy.  This reflects the Obama administration's commitment to a comprehensive strategy for the region. But ultimately, as Secretary Clinton has acknowledged, the problems between the two countries must be "solved by the two countries themselves." 

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