Questions about the covert U.S. mission in Abbottabad, Pakistan are leading to new found frustrations in the already rocky relationship between the two countries. Some American lawmakers are skeptical that the Pakistani intelligence was unaware that Osama bin Laden was hiding just an hour’s drive from the capital city of Islamabad. Meanwhile, Pakistani officials say they will not tolerate a future incident where the U.S. military engages in a covert operation in Pakistan without the government’s knowledge. What’s next in the diplomatic game? The head of Pakistan’s army, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, warned that another incident where the U.S. violates Pakistan’s sovereignty could result in a restructuring of the military and intelligence cooperation between the two nations. We talk with Hassan Abbas, a professor at Columbia University’s South Asia Institute and a former Pakistani government official. Abbas served in the administrations of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President Pervez Musharraf.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!