Haqqani commander killed in Pakistan

It was announced today that a top Haqqani network commander, Janbaz Zadran, was killed in Pakistan by a US drone strike. Zadran allegedly played a key role in planning the attacks on the US Embassy and a NATO headquarters that took place in Kabul last month.

This is certainly great news for the United States and for NATO. But it is also another example of why we should be worried about Pakistan's lack of effort in combating terrorism within their territory.

The Haqqani terrorist network has been frequently mentioned in the news lately due to the attacks that it carried out in Kabul. Another factor that has made Haqqani a priority for the media is because of its connections with the Pakistani spy agency, the ISI. Last month, then Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, made the strongest charges leveled against the Pakistani government and spy agency in recent memory. The United States has for a long time expressed concerns about the ISI's connections with terrorist groups, but Adm. Mullen went as far as to say that the attacks in Kabul were deliberately and intentionally supported by the ISI.

US-Pakistan tensions (from BBC News)

• 2 May: US announces Bin Laden's death and says Pakistan not warned of raid
• 14 May: Pakistan MPs demand review of US ties
• 26 May: US announces withdrawal of some US troops at Pakistan's request
• 27 May: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits to try to soothe relations
• 2 June: Top US military chief Adm Mike Mullen admits "significant" cut in US troops in Pakistan
• 10 June: CIA head Leon Panetta visits Pakistan. US admits "slow progress" in healing ties
• 8 July: Adm Mullen says Pakistan sanctioned killing of a journalist. Pakistan angrily rejects this
• 10 July: US suspends $800m of military aid
• 17 Sept: US envoy to Islamabad cites 'links' between Pakistan government and Haqqanis
• 23 Sept: Adm Mike Mullen accuses Pakistan of 'supporting a Kabul attack'

The problem of ISI connections with terrorist groups has existed for years. But the killing of Osama Bin Laden seems to have been a game-changer in Pakistani/US relations. The failure of Pakistan to capture Bin Laden on its own territory (not even mentioning the possibility of harboring him) have raised US doubts concerning Pakistan's anti-terrorist efforts to an all-time high. At the same time, Pakistan feels violated by the US operation on its own territory and the constant US drone strikes.

Yes, these drone strikes are eliminating individuals that seek great harm upon Americans and American interests. But it is certainly not a long-term solution. And no such solution seems to be in sight.