100% .. Yes, it would be .. lol, it was obvious they are playing the, long favored in many jurisdictions, good cop bad cop routine and then a link within your 2nd link .. "Mullen’s statements triggered immediate blowback in Pakistan, where the United States has struggled to balance its .. relationship .. http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/09/28/obama_team_plays_good_cop_bad_cop_with_pakistan .. with a key player in the future of Afghanistan and the region." http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/white-house-massages-adm-mullens-pakistan-allegations/2011/09/28/gIQA04RK5K_blog.html Also, this could be the one you were thinking of .. 2nd page your 1st link .. "But with his term as Joint Chiefs chairman about to expire, Mullen has become increasingly frustrated with the failure to get Pakistan to cut ties with Haqqani, and instructed his staff to compose testimony for last week’s hearing that would convey a message of exasperation." http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/adm-mullens-words-on-pakistan-come-under-scrutiny/2011/09/27/gIQAHPJB3K_story_1.html Thanks .. two good articles .. of course, you are right they need Pakistan . no doubt they are treading a bit of a fine line .. I've read somewhere, I think, that Pakistan feel they need Haqqani in their disputes with India. A giant bowl of spaghetti comes to mind, except this one is not tasty at all .. i love spaghetti ..