The key to the solution of the Afghan problem lies in Pakistan; however, as long as Pakistan is dependent on the three As – the army, Allah and America, the conflict against the Taliban is unlikely to go away.

More than ever, Pakistan is at the heart of the war against radical Islam. In fact, in the past few weeks, military operations in the North West tribal areas have increased dramatically in numbers and intensity. Western officials fear the radicalization of their own citizens who travel to Pakistan to "study" Islam in the madrassas that former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf had promised to close. And finally Pakistani society is facing another growing problem: honor crimes.

One of the most explosive spots on earth today is the so-called Durand Line, the 2,640-kilometer border, much of it in harsh mountain country, between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is where the United States and its NATO allies are battling the Taliban -- and are facing the possibility of military defeat.

The inauguration earlier this week of Asif Ali Zardari as Pakistans president offers the possibility -- but hardly the certainty -- of a new beginning for Pakistan, and a new era in U.S.-Pakistan relations.

Back home in the sub-continent, they say you should always stay away from the cops; their friendship as well as adversity is bad for ones health. I am reminded of the advice as the worlds chief cop, the United States, bombs its allies and friends in Pakistan. With friends like these, do you really need enemies?

It is becoming increasingly clear that the rising violence perpetrated by the Taliban in Afghanistan is beginning to seriously worry Western military brass, diplomats and professionals in the fields of security and conflict resolution.

AMMAN – Tensions are flaring across Pakistan just days before the election of a new president. A gunman Wednesday attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was not hurt in the attack on his motorcade a short distance from the capital city. Trouble is also rising in the northwestern tribal region after a cross-border incursion by Afghan-based foreign forces reportedly killed a number of civilians.

In 2005 Kuwait faced with its own war on terror at home against Islamists, decided to go after the root of the problem. Indeed, former Kuwaiti Oil Minister Ali al-Baghli wrote in Al Qabas on February 2, 2005: "What is needed is to cut off the snakes head, namely the masters of terror and all those who propagate for terror in mosques and the media."

The resignation of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf this week marks a watershed in U.S. relations with Pakistan and in the so-called war on terror. Musharraf was Washingtons go-to guy in that conflict, one-stop shopping to ensure that populous, nuclear-armed Pakistan was on board in fighting the Taliban and al-Qaida.

AMMAN -- Pervez Musharraf took Pakistan by surprise on Monday when he unexpectedly announced his resignation as president, effectively making history as the first leader in the country to voluntarily step down, albeit under tremendous pressure to do so.