Democratic lawmaker Gary Ackerman stated this week that while the Obama administration may be addressing issues in Afghanistan, the real threat lies in neighboring Pakistan, which is armed with nuclear weapons. Ackerman emphasized that in order to defeat al Qaeda, President Obama must focus on Pakistan and its border with Afghanistan, which Obama referred to as the "epicenter" of violent extremism in his recent announcement of a new Afghan war policy. Ackerman raised concerns about the value of risking lives in Afghanistan, questioning whether it is worth it. Ex-CIA analyst Bruce Riedel mentioned the challenge of getting Islamabad to cooperate in the fight against extremists in the current complex political climate in Pakistan. 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 only adds to Zardari's precarious position, especially with the military and police. According to Riedel from the Brookings Institution, navigating this situation is a delicate balancing act, as changing Pakistan's strategic behavior is not a quick or easy task. The Pakistanis are feeling anxious about the actions of the United States in Afghanistan. They have conflicting views on the surge of 30,000 more U.S. troops across the border and are concerned about a quick withdrawal that could further destabilize the region. Robert M. Hathaway, director of the Asia program at the Wilson Center, noted that Pakistan seems hesitant to support American and NATO policies in Afghanistan. Congress and Senator John Kerry have been urging the Obama administration to put more pressure on Pakistan due to the presence of al Qaeda and the Taliban in the region. Senior US officials, including national security adviser James Jones, have traveled to Pakistan to discuss the new Afghan strategy and urge Islamabad to do more. Obama has proposed a variety of incentives to Zardari, such as increased intelligence sharing and military cooperation. Experts predict that there will be more CIA-operated drone attacks on suspected al Qaeda and Taliban targets as part of this new strategy. There have been nearly 50 drone strikes in northwestern border regions this year, resulting in the deaths of about 415 people, including 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 Pakistani government is seeking additional F-16 fighter jets, as well as jets capable of operating at night. During the strategic review, Vice President Joe Biden advocated for more focus on Pakistan, including discussions about the possibility of conducting "unilateral operations" within the country, a move considered risky by most experts. Hathaway stated that while limited operations may be necessary in exceptional cases, continuous military tactics could have negative consequences. Nick Schmidle, a fellow at the New America Foundation, warned that any radical, unilateral actions like sending in special forces could alienate pro-Western elements in Pakistan. Despite efforts to improve relations, the deep-rooted distrust between the United States and Pakistan remains, as evidenced by the skepticism surrounding a proposed $7.5 billion non-military US aid package. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey believes that the other party is not interested in a strategic relationship, but rather only wants money and equipment without wanting to invest too much in the relationship.