It never seemed to me that Bush could be serious that the U.S. has no intention of engaging in nation-building. There doesn't seem to be any real alternative. I do believe that they would not want to be perceived as setting up a government which would have credibility problems.

I also had a feeling that a few bombs weren't likely to bring bin Laden out of his cave.

So what do you suppose is next? A few special forces incursions, and then . . . Something along the lines of U.N. peacekeeping forces? A big dose of multinational civilization throughout the country, with bin Laden and his friends to act as a cult of assassins if they so choose, until they are finally starved or rooted out? Does NATO have any such authority? Is the U.N. likely? Are there significant Muslim dominated countries who might participate? I sure wish some Arab nations would step up to the plate. If they want respect, as is often reported. . . .

It has been reported that the Northern Alliance fears a conspiracy to divide Afghanistan into two regions. Apparently the Afghanistan-Pakistan border is an artificial Western creation which has been traditionally disregarded by the inhabitants.

Anyone have predictions? No blame for being wrong.