Denying Pakistan aircraft that our military deems necessary for continuing offensives against a terrorist network is ultimately counterproductive and self-defeating. It weakens our frontline actions against regional and global threats. It undermines a democratic ally that must maintain its legitimacy in the eyes of its people by taking every step to keep them safe. And it opens the door to new players that do not share America's interests and values. Pakistan has one of the fastest-growing economies and is the sixth largest population in the world. This fact is not lost on China, which has swooped in to host talks with Pakistani leaders as the U.S. wallows in ambivalence. And Russia, which has been cozying up to Pakistan since early 2015, is close on China's heels.