I remember a certain former president who made the "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech during the isolation of Berlin. It was the use of the US Air Force to move supplies that convinced the Soviets to change their policy, not the rather silly speech.
What bothered me about the column by Ford, and the response to it, was that the arguments turned to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than to the Pakistan-Kashmir-India conflict, with possible connections to Afganistan, which was responsible for the killing of Pearl. It seems to be forgotten that there are several conflicts which do not wholly overlap except at the level of Muslim opposition to the policies of the West.
I see little chance for peace in the forseeable future in either the Pakistan-India or Israeli-Palestinian conflicts (or in the fight for local Muslim autonomy in the Philippines). The sides with the most power will try to keep the opponent under their boot, with the resentment of the latter continuing to feed terrorist activity.
In destroying the forces for terrorism in Afganistan, we have taken the risk (I think considered) of destabilizing Pakistan.
Someone mentioned the Pax Romana. At least the Romans absorbed many groups into their camp and provided stability over a large area. Whether we can do the same remains to be seen, but it certainly won't be soon.