The news that Islamabad is secretly hobnobbing with Israel in an attempt to initiate broader diplomatic ties is highly disturbing (The nation editorial August 14). After 9/11, Islamabad was asked only to bend but now it is choosing to crawl. Our perception of national interest ebbs and flows in response to our fear of the US if not in the hope of its favour. -Z A KAZMI, Karachi, August 14.