Democratic lawmaker Gary Ackerman commented this week that while the Obama administration may be addressing issues in Afghanistan, the real threat lies in nuclear-armed Pakistan. In order to defeat al Qaeda, President Barack Obama must focus on Pakistan and its border area with Afghanistan, which Obama referred to as the "epicenter" of violent extremism. Ackerman raised concerns about whether it is worth risking lives in a region that may or may not hold significant value. Ex-CIA analyst Bruce Riedel noted that the challenge lies in getting Islamabad to cooperate in the fight against extremists in a politically complex Pakistan. President Asif Ali Zardari's government is on shaky ground, with public opinion remaining strongly against the United States, although less so than during the Bush administration. Increased pressure from the US only adds to Zardari's already precarious position, especially in relation to the army and police. According to Riedel, who is now with the Brookings Institution think tank, navigating this situation is a delicate balancing act. Changing Pakistan's strategic behavior is not a quick or easy task, and will not happen in a matter of months or years. The Pakistanis are feeling unsettled by the actions of the United States in Afghanistan, as they are conflicted about whether they want a surge of additional U.S. forces or if they fear a quick withdrawal that could further destabilize the region. Robert M. Hathaway, director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center, noted the Pakistanis' reluctance to support American and NATO efforts in Afghanistan. Congress, including Senator John Kerry, has been urging the Obama administration to exert more pressure on Pakistan due to the presence of al Qaeda in the country and its ties to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Senior US officials, including national security adviser James Jones, have visited Pakistan to discuss the new Afghan strategy and encourage Islamabad to take more action. Obama has offered Zardari 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 this new strategy. There have been nearly 50 drone air strikes in the northwestern border regions this year, resulting in the deaths of about 415 people, including numerous foreign militants, according to Pakistani officials and residents. However, these attacks have caused local dissatisfaction. The United States has provided over $10 billion in military aid to Pakistan since 2001, and the Pentagon has recently expedited the delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars more in aid. A significant portion of this assistance is kept secret due to political sensitivities and concerns about upsetting India, Pakistan's main rival but a crucial ally for the U.S. in the region. The Pakistani government has requested additional F-16 fighter jets and is also seeking jets capable of operating at night, as their current capabilities are primarily limited to daytime operations. During the strategic review, Vice President Joe Biden was advocating for a greater focus on Pakistan, including discussions about the potential risks of increasing "unilateral operations" within the country. Many experts view such actions as highly risky. Hathaway stated that while there may be rare situations where limited operations are necessary, making it a regular military tactic would have negative consequences. Nick Schmidle, a fellow at the New America Foundation who recently wrote a book on Pakistan, warned that any drastic, unilateral actions like sending in special forces would only serve to further alienate pro-Western elements in Pakistan. He emphasized that despite efforts to improve relations, there remains a longstanding lack of trust between the United States and Pakistan. Additionally, the proposed $7.5 billion non-military aid package from the US has been met with skepticism, especially from the Pakistani army, who believe it comes with too many conditions. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey stated that they do not appear to be interested in a strategic partnership. While they are interested in receiving money and equipment, ultimately they are not willing to invest in a relationship that is too expensive for them.