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Well obviously the US can't nation-build in the Middle East. We simply can't. We can try to be peace-keepers and prop up democratic movements, but in the end we could be propping up the extreme minority as the vast majority fights against us. We've tried working with the Pakistani government, but that's not really done any good at all. What are we left with? As much as I hate to say it, we can't really just leave. Iraq stands a chance of eventually becoming stable as we withdraw, but probably not Afghanistan and certainly not Pakistan.
It pains me to say it, but I keep thinking we need India and China... maybe even Russia. This level of instability in a nuclear-capable nation is simply unacceptable, and the thought of a radical, anti-West theocracy with proven nuclear weapons can't be comforting to anyone in the US or Europe, not to mention India and China. If I were Obama (and thank god I'm not, we could be bogged down in universal health care and reduced military spending by now if I were), I'd arrange for NATO to sit down with Russia, China, India, and Pakistan to talk viable solutions. This can't continue on its present course.
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