Most US thinkers continue to believe, correctly in my view, that America's vital interests are best served by the emergence of a stable, prosperous and secure Pakistan
I always laugh whenever someone says this.The US would prefer a stable Pakistan but only to a point.What better country to use as it's proxy in a region with two other regional powers than one fully controlled by whoever sits in the CoAS chair?The perfect ally.No indecision,, no public debates,a leadership fully able to be bought in line with US interests without a peep and a country seemingly satisfied with the notion of not prospering beyond the point of deterring a neighbour 5 times it's size.
What better way to mess up a country than to addict it to US aid.All is needed is dollars and weaponry, both which US has.Fix up any immediate short term problems,pay them enough to make ends meet, and if necessary release random doses of high tech military hardware.If the Pakistanis get too stable and prosperous they won't need US aid and might get uncomfortable notions of not always following US directives.
fully and frankly turn to India as a substitute for Pakistan as our regional partner
To slow for American taste.Gotten used to dealing with one supreme authority in Pak.All others are minor minions.Also too many opinionated people in India.