I’m not sure what folks in the West expect from Pakistan sometimes. The nation is heavily Muslim and they seem to want the government to take on all Muslims.
Pakistan’s leadership walks a fine line IMO. To my way of thinking, it isn’t belligerent to the West. It is simply realistic about what it can and cannot do.
We have been fortunate that the leaders of Pakistan have backed off hostility with India for the most part. They have allowed us to do more than either side is mentioning in public, IMO. It’s something we’re just going to have to let our two governments hash out. I think they know what they are doing.
Some of these stories coming out are cover stories IMO. Pakistan gets to look tough against the U.S., and the U.S. gets to take certain actions that don’t find their way into the media.
IMO, Pakistan’s leadership has as much to fear from these extremists as anyone else does. I think they want the U.S.’ help. They just can’t let the rank and file Pakistanis know about it.