Democratic lawmaker Gary Ackerman stated that while the Obama administration is currently dealing with issues in Afghanistan, the real problem lies in Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country. In order to defeat al Qaeda, President Obama must focus on Pakistan and its border with Afghanistan, which he referred to as the "epicenter" of violent extremism. Ackerman questioned the value of risking lives in a region that may not hold much significance on its own. Ex-CIA analyst Bruce Riedel emphasized the challenge of getting Islamabad to work together in combating extremists in Pakistan's complicated political environment. The government of President Asif Ali Zardari is in a fragile state, with public opinion remaining strongly against the United States, although less so than during the Bush administration. Increased pressure from the US poses a risk to Zardari's already precarious position, especially with the army and police. According to Riedel from the Brookings Institution, changing Pakistan's strategic behavior is a difficult task that will not happen quickly. The Pakistanis are feeling anxious about the actions of the United States in Afghanistan. They are conflicted about not wanting a surge of 30,000 more U.S. forces across the border but also fearing a quick withdrawal from Washington which could further destabilize the region. According to Robert M. Hathaway, director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center, Pakistanis are hesitant to support America and NATO's efforts in Afghanistan. Congress has been urging the Obama administration to put more pressure on Pakistan, as mentioned by Democratic Senator John Kerry during a hearing. The presence of al Qaeda in Pakistan, its ties to the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the risks of a volatile, nuclear-armed Pakistan are driving the U.S. mission. Senior U.S. officials, such as national security adviser James Jones, have visited Pakistan recently to discuss the new Afghan strategy and urge Islamabad to take more action. Obama has provided Zardari with various incentives, such as improved intelligence sharing and military cooperation. It is anticipated that there will be an increase in CIA-operated drone attacks on suspected al Qaeda and Taliban targets as part of the new strategy. There have been approximately 50 drone strikes in the northwestern border regions this year, resulting in the deaths of around 415 individuals, including numerous foreign militants. These attacks have stirred local controversy. Since 2001, the United States has given over $10 billion in military aid to Pakistan, with additional funds being allocated in recent months. Much of this aid is discreet due to political sensitivities and concerns regarding India's reaction. The Pakistani government has requested more F-16 fighter jets, as well as jets capable of nighttime operations, as their current fleet is primarily suited for daytime use. During the strategic review, Vice President Joe Biden advocated for a greater focus on Pakistan, including discussions about the risks of increasing "unilateral operations" within the country. Most experts view such actions as highly risky, with limited potential success. Nick Schmidle, a fellow at the New America Foundation, warns that any radical, independent military actions, like sending in special forces, could further alienate pro-Western factions in Pakistan. He believes that despite efforts to build goodwill, the longstanding lack of trust between the United States and Pakistan cannot easily be overcome. For example, a proposed $7.5 billion non-military aid package from the US has been met with skepticism, particularly from the Pakistani army due to perceived conditions attached to the aid. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey stated that it appears that they are not interested in having a strategic partnership. They are more interested in receiving financial benefits and acquiring equipment, rather than investing in a relationship that could be costly for them.