U.S. Allegations against Pakistani Intelligence Represent Shift in Policy

It has also been alleged that bin Mahfouz helped finance al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden's organization which grew out of the effort to aid the mujahedeen.  Bin Mahfouz denies that he has ever supported terrorism, but acknowledges that Salem asked him to contribute $270,000 to his younger brother's cause.  But this, he points out, was in line with US policy.

Indeed, the CIA's $3 billion financing of the mujahedeen was matched by the government of Saudi Arabia, in addition to financing from private Saudi individuals such as Mahfouz.

The allegation that the ISI was behind the July 7 embassy bombing is certainly plausible, but it is particularly noteworthy in this incident because the US government has actually publicized the alleged connection, in stark contrast to its official support for Pakistan under Musharraf as a key "ally" in the "war on terrorism", despite the fact that Pakistan was the Taliban's largest benefactor prior to 9/11, and despite strong indications that support for militants and terrorists continued, if not in official form from the government itself, at least from within elements of Pakistan's military and intelligence communities.

This represents a key shift in US policy towards Pakistan.  The full extent to which there has been a policy shift towards the new government, and the consequences of that shift, remain to be seen.  But that the intention is to pressure the democratically elected government to fall in line and take marching orders from Washington, as Musharraf was willing to do despite overwhelming disapproval amongst the Pakistani public.

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