Two generations of Pakistani strategic analysts have held the mirage that Afghanistan provides strategic depth, when

the reverse has proven to be true. Pakistan has been destabilised by its own and by US. misadventures in Afghanistan, and could be destabilised further if India gains a foothold there to use as a staging ground to support disaffection in alochistan. A role reversal of this kind, mirroring India!s decades"long misfortunes in #ashmir, could only multiply Pakistan!s domestic woes. A political settlement, if one can be found, will have to tackle this issue which, in turn, re$uires improved ties between Pakistan and India. %awa& Sharif has great sympathy and support in 'ashington. The (bama administration will continue to provide assistance to tackle Pakistan!s economic, energy and internal security woes. )irst impressions in 'ashington, as in Pakistan, suggest a man hobbled by the immensity of his country!s problems and the obstacles that others so easily place in his path. *ast month, at the margins of U% +eneral Assembly speechmaking, he and Indian Prime ,inister ,anmohan Singh promised to $uiet e-changes of fire across the #ashmir divide. These flares appear to outsiders as contrived to prevent %awa& from pursuing what he so clearly wants . improved relations and greater direct trade with India. As long as firing across the #ashmir divide continues, it suggests opposition to this agenda, which is critical to Pakistan!s well"being. ,ore difficult, by orders of magnitude, will be taking action against e-tremists that are driving up Pakistan!s death toll. *eaving aside countries like Syria which are in the throes of a civil war, Pakistan now ranks above Afghanistan, and second only to Ira$, in fatalities due to sectarian violence. The writer is co-founder of the Stimson Centre in Washington.