There remains a widely perceived notion—still commonly held within intellectual, academic, and policy circles in the West and elsewhere—that ―Muslim societies are especially resistant to embarking upon the path of demographic and familial change. But such notions speak to a bygone era

Over the decades since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation has been in the grip of an unrelenting demographic crisis.

For years, the threat of instability in North Korea and Pakistan has haunted US foreign policy, challenging the United States to develop an effective plan for confronting and reforming these unstable regimes. And until the US changes course, North Korea and Pakistan--kindred spirits in diplomatic deception--will be happy to continue business as usual.

Killing the world's most wanted terrorist will not be enough to fundamentally change the nature of the battle against terrorism or eradicate the cancer from Pakistan. That will only be possible once Pakistan itself decides to fundamentally change the way it governs itself and pursues its national interest.