the United States and NATO forces can achieve something. It is why it is alarming that Nicolas Sarkozy has made noises about withdrawing French forces. This is perhaps a chance to at least placate French ego and let them know how much they are needed I lastly want to point out that no solution to Afghanistan's increasingly perilous situation can be seriously considered without looking at what is happening in Pakistan. A large part of the reason the Taliban has a foothold in the sout is due to the myriad of factions (extremists, nationalist, tribalists, the list goes of the various elements at play) fighting for control in Warzistan and other norther provinces of Pakistan. Protests have recently broke out against Pervez Musharaff due to his heavy handed crackdown on dissent. It would behoove us to at least consider distancing ourselves from Mr. Mushareff. If the United States is truly committed to bringing democracy, surely its support of a military dictator must be reconsidered. Indeed, while democractic elections brought Hamas to power in the West Bank, the situation in Pakistan at least has some encouraging elements. The protests are predominantly in favor of greater freedom of speech. By giving some support to Mr. Mushareff's opponents, the West would at least show to some degree we hear the complaints and cries of those shut of power in Pakistan. I understand the situation in the NW is perhaps beyond any one power to fix. But there are ways of defusing the tension