Only time will tell

The Bush administration has effectively abandoned its staunch Pakistani ally, President Pervez Musharraf.

Even before Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's resignation on Aug. 18, President Bush cut loose his old ally in hopes that Pakistan will end up a stable democratic ally like South Korea or the Philippines.

Let's take another look at history for a minute. The Shah of Iran was also very much a pro-American ally, even though most of the Iranian people were not. In 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter dropped his support for the Shah, which ultimately led to the Islamic Revolution, and gave birth to the militant Islam that we all know and love today. Surely we're not stupid enough to do this again? Right?

In June, the White House announced Mr. Bush had spoken on the phone with Mr. Musharraf and urged him to stay in the presidency. Last week, with his position crumbling, Mr. Musharraf tried to call Mr. Bush at least twice, according to Pakistani sources. Mr. Bush did not take the calls.

Uh oh. Maybe we are...

The stakes could not be higher. Pakistan already has nuclear weapons. It is a central front in the war on terror. And it is besieged by Islamic extremists who already have a secure operating base in the country.

Only time will tell. Maybe the next president will have enough foreign policy experience and foresight to handle what might happen.

Let's just hope.