Democratic lawmaker Gary Ackerman stated this week that while the Obama administration may be dealing with issues in Afghanistan, the more significant threat lies in neighboring nuclear-armed Pakistan. In order to defeat al Qaeda, President Barack Obama must focus on Pakistan and its border with Afghanistan, which he referred to as the "epicenter" of violent extremism. Ackerman expressed concerns over the worth of risking lives in a region that may not hold much value on its own. Former CIA analyst Bruce Riedel emphasized the difficulty in getting Islamabad to collaborate in the fight against extremists, given the complicated political situation in Pakistan. President Asif Ali Zardari's government is in a precarious position, with public opinion still strongly against the United States, although less so than during the Bush administration. Increased pressure from the US only adds to Zardari's already tenuous position, especially with the army and police. According to Riedel, from the Brookings Institution think tank, navigating this delicate balance is challenging and changing Pakistan's strategic behavior will not happen quickly. It is a process that will take time, possibly years. The Pakistanis are feeling uneasy about the actions of the United States in Afghanistan. They are conflicted about the idea of a surge of 30,000 more U.S. forces entering the country, as well as the possibility of Washington withdrawing too quickly and causing further destabilization in the region. Robert M. Hathaway, director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center, pointed out that Pakistan does not want the U.S. to increase its presence or leave, but also does not want to take more action to support American and NATO efforts in Afghanistan. Congress has been urging the Obama administration to pressure Pakistan more, with Democratic Senator John Kerry highlighting the threats of al Qaeda in Pakistan, its connections to the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the risks posed by an unstable, nuclear-armed Pakistan. Senior US officials, including national security adviser James Jones, have visited Pakistan to discuss the new Afghan strategy and to urge Islamabad to do more. Obama has proposed a variety of incentives to Zardari, such as improved intelligence sharing and military cooperation. Experts anticipate an increase in CIA-operated drone attacks on suspected al Qaeda and Taliban targets as part of the new strategy. There have been nearly 50 drone air strikes in northwestern border regions this year, resulting in the deaths of about 415 people, including many foreign militants. The United States has provided over $10 billion in military aid to Pakistan since 2001, with additional funds being rushed to the military in recent months. The assistance is largely kept low-key due to political sensitivities and concerns about upsetting India, Pakistan's rival but a key ally for the U.S. in the region. The Pakistani government is seeking more F-16 fighter jets, as well as jets capable of operating at night, as their current capabilities are mostly limited to daytime operations. During a strategic review, Vice President Joe Biden advocated for a greater focus on Pakistan, leading to discussions about the potential for increased "unilateral operations" within the country, a move that most experts view as highly risky. Hathaway expressed reservations about the idea, suggesting that while limited operations might be justified in certain circumstances, making it a regular military tactic would likely have negative consequences. Nick Schmidle, a fellow at the New America Foundation who has written a book on Pakistan, warned that any radical, unilateral actions, such as sending in special forces, could further alienate pro-Western factions in Pakistan. He also noted that despite efforts to improve relations, the deep-rooted mistrust between the United States and Pakistan remains a significant obstacle. Furthermore, a proposed $7.5 billion non-military aid package from the US has been met with skepticism, particularly from the Pakistani army, which believes it comes with too many strings attached. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey remarked that the other party does not appear interested in establishing a strategic partnership. While they are interested in receiving financial support and equipment, ultimately they are not willing to invest in a relationship that requires too much from them.