As part of President Obama’s “comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan,” he intends to triple non-military aid to Pakistan, amounting to $5 billion over the next five years. Obama portrayed the billions as a “downpayment” on a safer future and an attempt to “strengthen Pakistan’s democracy.”

Yet there is considerable concern at the lack of transparency for aid sent to the troubled south Asian nation, and serious questions over how much of the money thrown at Pakistan for “schools, roads and hospitals” will actually be used for those purposes and how much will be funneled to other purposes.

The decision to ratchet up Pakistan’s aid also comes just days after US officials blamed the Pakistani government, and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency in particular, for providing direct support to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• US Still Can't Find Missing Libyan Missiles - February 9th, 2012
• Muslim Brotherhood to Egypt Junta: Sack Appointed Government - February 9th, 2012
• As Reports of Violence Grow in Syria, So Do Western Calls for Intervention - February 9th, 2012
• NATO Air Strike Kills Eight Children in Afghanistan - February 9th, 2012
• Four Killed as Another US Drone Strike Hits Pakistan - February 8th, 2012