I don't know how much ruthlessness has to do with credibility. At any rate, it was the population's final disgust with the bloodthirsty retribution by the groups now known as the Northern Alliance which accounts in no small measure for the "popularity" of the Taliban in the first place, and its ability to consolidate power.

After years of civil war and incalculable bloodshed in the wake of the Soviet withdrawal, the population ultimately rallied behind the Taliban, either out of fear or weariness, when they were able to restore some semblence of law and order in Afghanistan, albeit through draconian measures.

We should not be too surprised, then, that there may be a counterproductive aspect to our bombing campaign. We may find that the inner core of Taliban loyality will close ranks, as we've seen with the apparent double-cross of General Haq and his subsequent execution.

In order to prevail in this conflict, we will need to put some of our bishops and knights into play on the center of the chess board which is Afghanistan.

sp