David Kilcullen:

We're now reaching the point where within one to six months we could see the collapse of the Pakistani state. The collapse of Pakistan, al-Qaeda acquiring nuclear weapons, an extremist takeover -- that would dwarf everything we've seen in the war on terror today.

Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan.

And now for something completely different:

Attendant: More anything?
Jerry: More everything!

Back to the Kilcullen interview:

Q: What are the lessons of Iraq that most apply to Afghanistan?

Kilcullen: You've got to protect the population. You've got to focus on getting the population on your side and making them self-defending. And you've got to make a long-term commitment.

Freeman Dyson:

It's very important that we adapt to the world on the long-time scale as well as the short-time scale. Ethics are the art of doing that. You must have principles that you're willing to die for.

Nir Rosen, in Rolling Stone:

"You Westerners have your watches," the leader observed. "But we Taliban have time."

A Conversation With David Kilcullen