A Pakistani official’s admission a few days ago does not exactly fall into the category of surprise of the century. Leaders in his country’s spy and espionage service knew al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was in their country for some time before a U.S. SEAL team killed him there, the former defense minister confirmed.

For many years, Pakistani officials played a double game with the United States. Claiming to be on our side in the battle against Islamic terrorists, they occasionally provided real help – but did all in their power to establish the Taliban in Afghanistan and assist al-Qaida. After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the country’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency publicly offered to help hunt down al-Qaida soldiers and leaders, but provided them invaluable aid in escaping U.S. retaliation.

At the time in May 2011 the SEAL team invaded bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, some eyebrows were raised over the fact that although helicopters for the assault were launched from Afghanistan, the Pakistani military was not alerted of the incursion. Now we have confirmation that was a wise tactic.

It is difficult to say how much of the public friendship U.S. officials extend to Pakistan is real – and how much is show backed by the realization these are not our friends in many respects. It is known, however, that for some time before the 9/11 attacks, many in Washington were deluded.

That must never be permitted to happen again – and Pakistan should suffer consequences for its two-faced betrayals of American friendship.