"Panic in the Pentagon: The Taliban may obtain nuclear weapons."

An eminently logical scenario published by Pravda. A destabilized Pakistan could come under Taliban control. The way the Bush Adminstration and, so far, the Obama Administration have approached the Taliban has been very nearly completely counterrproductive. Not only is it strengthened it but there are heightened sympathies in the Pakistani military.

This is a direct result of not understanding one's enemy, the attraction is has for it's people, what motivates it and how it might be most effectively confronted, integrated, neutralized. The "Taliban" is a multi-faceted organization with factions which have their own self-interests.

Instead, with the good v. evil, black-and-white, one does not talk with despots school of foreign affairs we've lost another situation, and perhaps disastrously. The rocketing of civilians while trying to strike Talibani functionaries plays into their hands. Karzai has begged for restraint, as have the Paks, knowing that they have simply worsened the problems.

"What would you do?" - the Conservative cry. First, recognize the macho, NRA, NASCAR solution is having the worst possible outcome even though it feels good. Second, anything else would be worth trying. It's a bit like smashing your thumb every time you pound a nail - "How else are you going to drive them"? Any other way.

A shame. It didn't have to be this way. However, any other what wouldn't have been as dramatic.

Arf