Pakistan-US face-off. Is it gonna fizzle out?

For the past one week Islamabad and Washington are standing on the brink of ending their flimsy alliance in the Afghanistan War. A week ago, a NATO helicopter in pursuit of some Taliban insurgents, crossed Pakistani border and killed two Pakistani soldiers by mistake. In retaliation, Pakistan closed a critical checkpoint on Pakistan-Afghan border that protected the NATO supply route. Since then, there have been three attacks on NATO supply convoys blowing up more than fifty fuel tankers. Americans trying to mollify the Pakistanis, have apologized for the mistake but Islamabad is yet to reopen the checkpoint (for entire story: NYT). 

The face-off is undeniably dramatic and full of emotions. Pakistani public has much pent-up anger and resentment towards the American forces that keep violating Pakistani sovereignty with impunity. While the face-off is going on, NATO drones continue to strike inside Pakistani territory killing several insurgents, fueling the public anger. Nevertheless, despite the deep suspicion and anger on both sides, a US-Pakistan alliance is essential for both parties. 

The Americans cannot find a better supply route for the war in Afghanistan, neither can they afford an openly hostile ISI that currently (at least partly) keeps the insurgents at Af-Pak border in check. Pakistan needs the annual US$ 2 billion aid to drag through its collapsing economy. Therefore, the face-off is likely to fizzle out with the Pakistani government backing down after a little bit of huffing and puffing. In 2008, there had been a very similar face-off between US and Pakistan when the drone operations inside Pakistani territory were first revealed. It simply fizzled out. 

Image Source: Wikimedia