Pakistan: U.S. Finally Growing a Pair?

Various news reports indicate that the United States government will not certify Pakistan's counter-terrorism operations in North Wazirstan as damaging to the Haqqani Network. The DoD has reportedly notified the Pakistani embassy in D.C. This will block the release of funds for U.S. financial assistance for the Pakistani military. A couple of things come to mind. Apparently the bulk of our retrograde operations using the lines of communication (LOCs) across the Afghan border into Pakistan to seaports on the Indian Ocean has been completed (we were held hostage for quite awhile over this aspect of the war). In addition, we are finally doing something about the sanctuaries. One facet of counterinsurgency is that if the insurgents enjoy sanctuaries (and foreign support) across a border it will be almost impossible to defeat them - making for a very long war. This action by the U.S. has been a long time coming. Read more in "US Set to Suspend Military Aid to Pakistan", The Diplomat, August 21, 2015.

On a related note - the man known by many as the "Godfather of the Taliban" has died. Hamid Gul, the former head of the Pakistan ISI has died of a brain hemorrhage. He was an Islamist ideologue until his death and leaves behind a dangerous legacy. Afghans have called him "the butcher of the Afghans". Read more in a news report by Deutsche Welle dated August 21, 2015.

Pakistan Border Shelling. The artillery fire by Pakistani forces into Afghanistan continues. Afghanistan has summoned Pakistan's ambassador to explain a battle between the security forces of the two countries that killed up to eight Afghan border police. Read more in "Kabul Summons Pakistani Ambassador as Afghans Mark Independence Day", Radio Free Europe, August 19, 2015.

Cross-Border Ops? In a twist to the recent rise in tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan we learn that the Chief Executive Office (Afghanistan) has warned Pakistan that if it fails to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries that it will - with the help of the international community - directly hit militant hideouts on the other side of the Durand Line. This could make things interesting! Read more in "CEO's Office Warns Pakistan Against Protecting Insurgents", Tolo News, August 21, 2015.