For those who had ignored the progressive radicalization of Pakistan, the Mumbai attacks and their probable Pakistani origin helped clarify the reading of the role certain extremist groups based within Pakistan play within the broader context of Islamic fundamentalism. As a result, Pakistan has been raised now to the status of source of world instability, as opposed to supporting character.

Now that this is noted, the question is what productive role, if any, the United States, the West and other major nations such as China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Japan and India should play in order to diminish the intensity of this threat. Can any or most of these outside powers, acting in concert, create the premises for enhanced stability both within Pakistan and its neighbors and among all of them?

Is there anything constructive that can be undertaken? In Afghanistan, the United States, with a disappointing level of support from its allies in the 28-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is trying to defeat a stubborn and still growing insurgency featuring the Taliban, plus other assorted elements.

Until recently, the reading was that Pakistan was important as an accessory player in relation to Afghanistan. U.S. and Western concern about Pakistan was mostly focused on its direct or indirect role in providing sanctuary to the Taliban and al-Qaida hiding in the mountainous border areas between the two countries.

If only Pakistan would be more forceful in denying access to the insurgents, then, it was widely assumed, U.S. and allied military operations in support of the embattled government of President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan would have a far better chance of succeeding.

But now the focus has shifted. Pakistan is seen by U.S. policymakers and many other Western analysts not just as a weak, unwitting or maybe partially willing accessory. Pakistan is now widely seen as "the problem" -- or at least "a problem" in its own right.

Pakistan, Western policymakers have belatedly realized, has become a new center of jihadi radicalism with groups that have acquired the ability and willingness to engage in international operations in South Asia and elsewhere.

The fertile ground for radical violence in Pakistan is provided by various Islamic fundamentalist factions that have prospered in recent decades from the long-running and deep-rooted economic stagnation in the country.

Part 3: The crucial role that the perennially unresolved Kashmir dispute with India has played in keeping Pakistan radical and destabilized over the decades

(Paolo Liebl von Schirach is the editor of SchirachReport.com, a regular contributor to Swiss radio and an international economic-development expert.)

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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