Keeping the Pakistanis close....

An interesting article in the NYTimes, not for what it says, but for it's likely intent in the context of the Pakistan drone bombings.

We know that the Pakistanis are providing support, but someone in the Obama administration wants it very public and very official right now that we know about "direct support from operatives in Pakistan’s military intelligence agency."

Sharif has been on a populist rise after the protests and reseating of Chaudhry and has been aligning himself as the voice of "true Pakistan" in a nexus of the more rightist elements and the military.

I'm guessing this is an attempt from the US to show that "true Pakistan" isn't quite as pure as it's being sold and to drive a little wedge between the military and the rightists.

Related: (NYTimes) U.S. Weighs Sharif as Partner in Pakistan

And, Two more US missile strikes in Pakistan.