U.S. plans to boost civilian aid to Pakistan | LA Times

Flikr photo by Shabbir Siraj used under a Creative Commons license.  As Obama prepares to release his foreign policy strategy focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan, some changes have already begun to take shape.  In addition to the $10 billion figure first established by the PCR Project (Washington Quarterly, 2007) in military add to Pakistan, the new administration plans to increase civilian assistance three fold.  This is part of an effort to temper growing extremism in Pakistan and improve the image of the U.S. with the people of Pakistan.  The plan is that by increasing civilian assistance to Pakistan, the civilian government will have more equal footing with the powerful military.  Money is a key factor in the U.S.- Pakistan relationship, but mutual understanding, cooperation, and partnership with the people of Pakistan still seems to be lacking.  In the article, Rick Barton points out:

Yes, we need to make the money flow, but it is not as if our money is the deciding factor.  What is really deciding is: Do we have relationships beyond the military? Are we showing we are in touch with what the Pakistani people need and want?