With the United States giving $510 million to quake relief and reconstruction in Pakistan, the two countries have deepened the alliance that was forged in 2001 at the start of the "war on terror." The Pakistani Surgeon General even announced "Pakistan and the United States have been very close allies for a very long period…these mutual exchanges will further strengthen our bonds."

But in upcoming months Pakistan must solidify its position as an American ally, and prove that the U.S. will benefit from these ties. In addition to recovering from the earthquake, Pakistan now faces periodic revolts, and is redirecting large numbers of ground forces including six army brigades and 25,000 paramilitary men to the Southwestern province, where Baluch nationalists, who accuse the government of exploiting their natural resources, have left 215 dead, carrying out what the Pakistan Human Rights Commission calls, "indiscriminate bombing and strafing."

Thus far the U.S. has called the deteriorating condition of the region an "internal matter", for Pakistan to address. But if the carnage continues, it will ultimately affect Pakistan’s participation as an ally against Al-Qaeda, calling into question its value as an ally.