They're flexing their biggest muscle right now -- which will leave both nations physically exhausted. In a few days, they'll likely be ready to talk.

As for the numbers involved, military life is, for the most part, an honorable, steady income. It's reasonable to assume that this is where large numbers feel most at ease with their lives, and when your population is that of India, you end up with a very large foot-army. A million is a lot of people, but the logistics is hell on earth. They can remain in a confined area only so long.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since achieving independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over Kashmir. Both nations claim the Himalayan province in its entirety.

On the other hand -- they may have lives to burn, so to speak, which would mean another war is imminent.

Dan