Back from the Brink

Two weeks ago, the unnerving game of tit-for-tat appeared to be escalating. When Pakistan tested its Shaheen missile system (capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the Indian capital of New Delhi) India retorted with its own provocative rocket launch within hours. Surprisingly, however, such brinkmanship may have spooked both nations enough to force a breakthrough in relations. When New Delhi announced on Wednesday that it was pulling back some of its 500,000 troops posted along its border with Pakistan, Islamabad said it would follow suit, and everyone concerned about potential nuclear holocaust in South Asia exhaled a bit....