I'm not the leader of the free world, but if I were, what I would start doing is cultivating relationships with every country that has oil, and if necessary, propping them up with military assistance, and if possible, bases. I would be prepared, if necessary, to attack and occupy oil fields to ensure our supply. It's the oil that matters, countries without it pose no threat to us (terrorists are stateless). The corrupt regimes which would need our help are as scared of the terrorists as we are, I would make it a point that they understood that without our help and our bases they would be helpless. Their hearts and minds will follow. In return, I would do everything I could to influence those nations to implement more liberal ideas and more democracy. In the long run, that pays off, but you can't make it happen.

Once our oil supply was secure, there would be less of a risk to us of total economic collapse, but we would still be vulnerable to terrorist action, both at home and in our foreign bases. I would be tough on the international war on terror, I would use all the espionage and coercive methods I felt would help, including violations of personal privacy, torture, whatever it took. I find these methods as distasteful as anyone else, but I believe the times justify the means. On the other hand, conventional forces, in uniform, fighting against our forces would be scrupulously treated according to the Geneva Convention. I would also make it a point to communicate to Islamists that any state caught aiding and abetting terrorists would be punished, either by annexation or destruction of their assets, or even of their religious sites. Likewise, I would lavish aid and assistance on those states who were sincere allies. I would not rule out the use of nuclear weapons, but I would only use them against states which I could prove had provided nuclear materials or used them against us.

I would cultivate allies outside the region in the same way we've always done it, by making it worth their while. They'll make money by helping, and lose out on all the big contracts if they don't.

In other words, I would do pretty much what the Bush administration, and EVERY other American administration has done since the end of WWII. I would act like a world power. I don't think all these measures would work, some would be mistakes and I'd have to change course, and perhaps there are things I haven't thought of. On the whole, I'd try for an overall policy of fairness to everyone, help and assistance to our friends, and the threat of force against our enemies. And I would not be afraid to use force, but I would also recognize that it is always the last resort, and it always has unintended consequences. Losing a friend is much worse than making an enemy. I would make it a point to never bluff if I couldn't back up my threats. Some day you may have to bluff, so it shouldn't be part of your everyday repertoire.

I would not rule out the sort of geopolitical Kissingerian game Rumsfeld and Cheney tried in Iraq, but I would hope if I did try it, I would not trust on my fantasies and hopes, and I would take advice from my counselors, especially the hostile ones. And if my adventure failed, for whatever reason, I'd cut my losses and gracefully withdraw. Once you realize you're not going to get what you want, there's no point in upping the ante. When I'm Prez I'll hire you Tom, I may not follow your recommendations, but you can bet I'll listen to them very carefully.

In short, I think I would do what I thought would get the job done after careful consultation with my allies and counselors. I would be willing to compromise and negotiate, so much so that even my opponents would realize it was in their interest to do so. But I would carry a big stick too. If you're afraid to use guns or aircraft carriers you shouldn't own either.

I guess I'd do what any other responsible leader would do, his best. I have no guarantee I'd have the wisdom to make it work, but I would try. What I would never do is base my decisions on religion, ideology or sentiment.