The bigger gamble lies in not attempting to toss off the violent extremes, because in the dance going on in Pakistan the extremes hold the upper hand by virtue of the extreme nature of their actions and the extreme terror with which they hold captive the rest of the country to their whim. The ISI built and cultivated the Taliban at first with later without our blessing. The Taliban is still the stronger tribe in the NWFP and the struggle in Afghanistan is still in doubt. If we are to be victorious in Afpakistan we must build and sustain a tribe that is stronger than the Taliban and resistant to the extremes. That is a tall order, but it can be achieved.

Of course, a “long march to the sea” to extract our soldiers and DoS warriors if executed properly could leave a lasting impression on the enemy from which they would not soon recover.

A nuclear armed nation is not one to trifle with. It is my impression that we will be in all the way or we will be out completely, and very soon regardless of timetables and without regard for the lives of innocents or the rights and remains of criminal combatants. That I think would be progress in both areas.