For US, a diplomatic opportunity in sending Pakistan flood relief

Pakistan’s worst flooding in 80 years has killed hundreds and displaced what’s estimated to be more than a million people. The United States has pledged $10 million in relief, in addition to providing helicopters and other critical supplies to Pakistan. But is this enough relief to matter?

Diplomatic observers say this could be a critical moment for the U.S. to provide non-military assistance and demonstrate solidarity with Pakistan. Pakistanis had already experienced a wave of violence in Karachi earlier this week, with the assassination of a senior politician and a suicide-bomber attack in Peshawar on Wednesday.

The credibility of the Pakistani government is on the line as the country’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, is traveling in the U.K. and has not returned to his country.

We talk with Christian Science Monitor reporter, Issam Ahmed, on the ground in Lahore, Pakistan, and Michelle Fanzo, Project Leader for the World Policy Institute, who weigh in on the effort by the United States to aid in the floods’ devastating aftermath.