Following a a multi-hour meeting on Sunday, Pakistan’s military commanders publicly rejected the multiple US allegations of attacking the US Embassy in Kabul, and agreed to support the political leadership in dealing with the growing diplomatic crisis.
Though the Zardari government has long been seen as determined to protect US ties at any costs, they are increasingly seen as resigned to a full-fledged diplomatic split, with diplomats scrambling to set up meetings with other powers in the hope of gaining alternative allies.
The first apparent success of this campaign came in the form of China, which promised to continue to support the Pakistani government and to provide them with whatever economic and technical aid they require in fighting militants in the north.
This could be an extremely valuable asset for Pakistan, as many US officials are raising the prospect of severing foreign aid deals with the nation to punish them over the allegations of ties with the Haqqani Network. US aid is meant to buy influence, and they may be reluctant to withdraw it if it means being replaced by China as the Pakistani government’s benefactor.
