The border may have opened earlier this month (though closed now for security reasons), but the relationship between the US and Pakistan remains far from rosy. A press conference today fueled yet more acrimony as a top Obama aide blasted Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman.

The two had been discussing cross border raids and Ambassador Rehman brought up the growing number of attacks against the Swat Valley from Pakistani Taliban operating in the Afghan Kunar Province, where very little attempt seems to be made to dislodge them.

The Obama aide, former Gen. Douglas Lute, expressed outrage at the statement, saying there is “no comparison” between Taliban crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan to launch attacks and Taliban crossing into Afghanistan from Pakistan launching attacks, insisting it is “unfair” to even compare them.

Rehman scored her own points later in the talk, responding to Lute’s praise of Obama’s efforts along the border by slamming the ongoing US drone strikes against Pakistani territory, noting that it “adds to the pool of recruits we’re fighting against.”

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• Congress to Bend Rules, Rush Through $607 Billion Military Bill - December 9th, 2013
• White House: Hersh Report on Syria Deception 'Simply False' - December 9th, 2013
• US Drone Strike Kills Four in Southern Yemen - December 9th, 2013
• Kerry Demanding PA Concessions to Placate Israel Over Iran - December 9th, 2013
• Iran FM: New US Sanctions Would Kill Nuclear Deal - December 9th, 2013