Global Security Newswire

U.S. President Barack Obama is preparing to propose a new strategy to ensure stability in nuclear-armed Pakistan, Agence France-Presse reported Friday. The nation has suffered terrorist and political turmoil in recent weeks, and Washington is anxious to strengthen civilian rule and to shore up the fight against extremist factions in Pakistan's tribal areas (see GSN, March 13).

Obama is likely to unveil his program at the end of this month during a summit on Afghanistan in the Hague. The plan could endorse a congressional effort to triple nonmilitary U.S. aid to Pakistan, provided that leaders in Islamabad maintain adequate efforts to battle al-Qaeda and Taliban forces, according to AFP.

"The big chance is that this is a long-term commitment. Pakistanis have often worried that the United States is here with them only for the short term," said Atlantic Center analyst Shuja Nawaz. The congressional effort would demonstrate "a consistency and a confidence that the aid will continue no matter which government is in power locally," Nawaz added (Agence France-Presse I/Spacewar.com, March 13).

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke Saturday with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and his chief political rival Nawaz Sharif to offer support for democratic leadership in Pakistan, AFP reported.

"Mrs. Clinton ... discussed the prevailing situation in Pakistan and said the U.S. was keen to see a stable and democratic system strengthened in the country," according to a statement (Agence France-Presse II/Spacewar.com, March 14).