A political settlement, if one can be found, will have to tackle this issue which, in turn, requires improved ties

between Pakistan and India. Nawaz Sharif has great s mpath and support in !ashington. "he #bama administration will continue to provide assistance to tackle Pakistan$s economic, energ and internal securit woes. %irst impressions in !ashington, as in Pakistan, suggest a man hobbled b the immensit of his countr $s problems and the obstacles that others so easil place in his path. &ast month, at the margins of 'N (eneral Assembl speechmaking, he and Indian Prime )inister )anmohan Singh promised to quiet e*changes of fire across the +ashmir divide. "hese flares appear to outsiders as contrived to prevent Nawaz from pursuing what he so clearl wants , improved relations and greater direct trade with India. As long as firing across the +ashmir divide continues, it suggests opposition to this agenda, which is critical to Pakistan$s well-being. )ore difficult, b orders of magnitude, will be taking action against e*tremists that are driving up Pakistan$s death toll. &eaving aside countries like S ria which are in the throes of a civil war, Pakistan now ranks above Afghanistan, and second onl to Iraq, in fatalities due to sectarian violence. The writer is co-founder of the Stimson Centre in Washington.