[NY Times] Video evidence of Pakistani military firing squads exceuting unarmed men?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/world/asia/30pstan.html



If this video is real and Pakistan is carrying out extrajudicial killings, do we cut off funds to them as required by law, and consequently hurt the overall campaign in Afghanistan by losing an ally, or do we turn a blind eye for the sake of the greater good? I know we typically did this in Latin America during the Cold War.

"An Internet video showing men in Pakistani military uniforms executing six young men in civilian clothes has heightened concerns about unlawful killings by Pakistani soldiers supported by the United States, American officials said.

The Pakistani military said it was faked by militants and it dismissed the video as part of a propaganda campaign by jihadists to defame the Pakistani Army. But American officials, who did not want to be identified because of the explosive nature of the video, said it appeared to be credible, as did retired American military officers and intelligence analysts who have viewed it."

 

With what's been happening recently (disastrous floods destroying the civilian govt's image and shifting support towards grassroots extremist groups aiding affected people, rampant rumors of an imminent military coup, blocked NATO supplies in response to friendly-fire killing, an economy in life support funded by US taxpayers, etc.), the answer isn't as obvious as it was in the past.

With an upcoming midterm election and terrible poll ratings, this is the last thing Obama's administration wants. Given the precarious state of the country, however, Obama has a chance to allow a new military government to reassert control and get Pakistan back on its feet. An economically healthier and stable Pakistan controlled by an effective government is vital to our foreign policy in the region.