Now that is the fact of our times--that many young men and women will die and many an act and threat of violence will be ours for an unforseen score of years.

Yet to win at least a truce is to first recognize the evil we the US have done on the area, and accept the responsibility as well as apologize for it. Lastly where possible even atone for our mistakes.

Correct that we armed and trained "freedom fighters" during the Soviet invasion. But after the Soviets left--what did the US do after that? Nothing! We left Afganistan a mess. We crushed pro-democracy movements in Iran in the 1950s-60s, supported tyrants; oh yes Saddam was an ally at one time when he was at war with Iran. Many a shorted sided policy of ours is to blame for todays problems. It is time to address those past mistakes openly and honestly.

Then we need to encourage and foster a change for the better the lives of the people. In Saudi, far too many people suffer poverty despite that country's wealth. We support still the ruling family and ignore the people there. When live has no joy in it and despairation is the norm, people reach for things to find some hope. Or is the lesson of the rise of the Nazis lost to this current generation. Perhaps had not the Germans not been so disperate the sick person of Hitler would never have come to power.