confederation of Afghanistan & Pakistan is a pipe dream that I used to have too. This still might be possible, but perhaps not in my lifetime because it would require at least 2 generations worth of work. We just need to develop long term policy to deal with Afghanistan as it exists. Nothing will change in Afghanistan without a war & therefore we'll be stuck with a proud but poor neighbor for foreseeable future. If we try to educate their youth, the young people will question the power-structure & we'll be blamed for interference. Its too complicated & we can only slowly influence Afghans.