Why this expectation? Should they do so out of emotional attachments to Pakistan of the past or should they focus on their interests and we do on ours?
Pakistan should not be on anyone's side. This is the immaturity of our leadership. In the US, one administration from the other has no idea about relationships with countries maintained by the previous administration and here we are talking about favours done by Ayub, Yahya and Zia to the Americans. The problem with the Pakistani approach is that we tend to look at inter-state relations in the very same light as we keep our personal-relations. You always remember a favour and try to give back. However in the world of politics, all that matters is convergence of interests. History and past not withstanding.
The reason us Pakistanis constantly remind the Americans of the past is because there is a flawed logic and immaturity of thinking at play. Its actually the same silly logic that Indians apply to their relationship with America on the basis of "we are the largest democracy and they are the oldest one, then how come the coldness and support to Pakistan?" However the fact of the matter is that what gets any two countries together is common goals and interests.
Americans are the smartest of all when it comes to working this theory. If one is to look back at the American foreign policy, yes it has had many failures as well (but who has not?), but Americans have been in bed with very many unlikely partners because the sides had interests converging. There was no need for this "feel good" democracy connection.
So its time for Pakistanis to consider such things. The government has to do a better job of explaining the policies of the two sides better to a nation which emotionally sees itself as a betrayed friend of the Americans. The Americans on the other hand have a very straight forward type of dealing. As the pre-eminent power, their interests are paramount, those of others, not so. In this environment Pakistan has to somehow manage her relations and the public has to adjust its views.
This is not an impossible task, but does require a better understanding of geo-politics than currently exhibited by our public and also many of the politicians.
This is AMERICA man! Why would they worry to impress you. They are getting Billion dollar business without doing so.
