Equation of Taliban and their aims with those of Al Qaeda is completely wrong, a bad mistake. The Taliban are fighting for their beliefs, which are the beliefs of the Pashtun people in their central region.

Leave them alone and let them evolve at their own pace. Change will come, but not by ramming it down their throats; resentment, defiance and bloody resistance results.

Pakistan's leaders seem to be taking baby steps towards accomodation.
The West must leave the region.