Attacks on Pakistan

The NYTimes has an article on US missile strikes in Pakistan since Obama became president, although I would say it's too early to employ the characterization that Obama is "widening" the program."

Mainly, the strikes appear to target Baitullah Mehsud's Taleban operation which poses more menace in Pakistan than Afghanistan. Is the US "helping Pakistan" here? (With or without their consent?)

According to one senior Pakistani official, Pakistan’s intelligence service on two occasions in recent months gave the United States detailed intelligence about Mr. Mehsud’s whereabouts, but said the United States had not acted on the information.

Attacking Mehsud's organization would also likely keep the Pakistanis from cutting deals with him, although it might also help their recruitment cause, depending on the end results of the attacks.

Is the US now fighting the Pakistanis war for them?

Is "winning" the Pakistani war prerequisite for "winning" in Afghanistan?

(I think the Times' does a disservice by not offering a fuller history of Mehsud, the man blamed as Bhutto's killer. In a hurry, sorry, I can't either. Here's a small linked history from the Times.)