of massively increased US diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to bring this area under government control; because of big increases in US aid, both military and non military; because of rock solid promises by Obama to stay the course and support the Pakistan leadership in this effort to the end; and because of Taliban double-crosses on recent peace deals.

The reason the Taliban are no longer threatening supply lines is because they are on the run. They've essentially been expelled from Swat and now begins the big push to clear out the border area with Afghanistan. This will take time, maybe years, but it is big trouble for Al Qaeda.

Further, the new Afghan commander, General McChrystal is a baaaaad man. His appointment signals the Administration is going for broke trying to win this.