ARTICLE: Islamic law to be imposed in parts of Pakistan, AP, February 16, 2009

Realistic bargaining? Yes.

Giving in to civilizational apartheid? Definitely.

The problem here is that there is an unrealized nation that lies between fake states Afghanistan and Pakistan called the Pashtun people. Islamabad will be tempted to do the usual and cut their own "live and let live" deal with the Pashtun on their side of the Durand Line (drawn by Brits, natch), and Obama will be tempted to do the same on the Afghanistan side of the line.

Will that solve our perceived problem (i.e., al Qaeda operating out of there with the Taliban's protection)? Probably not.

Our conversation continues ...