Gee, this thread was a real hit.

Los Angeles Times is reporting that Pakistan has spent the bulk of the aid on purchasing big ticket arms, more suitable to stave of India, than fighting terror.
So, why are Americans throwing good money after bad in Pakistan.
Maybe its because Americans are really naive [as in stupid] or really conniving. If the latter, it's being very well camouflaged.

Instead of doling out 10 BILLION dollars to Mush Inc. They could have spent one tenth of that amount on paying off some real bad ass tribal chiefs and have them hunt and kill al qaeda and taliban. Yes, that sort of money trumps ethnic and/or religious ties in that region.
Remember, Mir Aimal Kansi?

The situation in Pakistan as in the Middle east is far more complex than having the people vote and if only it would be allowed to happen. As much as Muslims are craving one single genuinely "nationalistic", self-interest driven democracy, the arbitrary creation of Pakistan (what was formally smaller sovereign states who co-existed), Pakistan is now a heap of conflicting interests and a truly marginilised diasporic and diverse majority. Musharraf actually has good intentions, but his efforts are quickly being wasted.

http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/editorial/english/mujib_killing_CIA.htm

The United States does in Pakistan what it does everywhere else. Give a finger, take an arm and sell them McDonalds.

seems someone in [see nyt story below] washington must have read my, nov. 5th, suggestion above.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/washington/19policy.html