"Once again it seems as though Pakistan is going to be a key player. Kerry's questioning of Condi on a subject she refused to address in an open session. Kerry did everything but turn to the cameras and say directly to our enemies, "Please, for the sake of the Democratic Party- take out Musharaf so I can look like a statesman and run again in 08"." 
Senator Kerry and most Democrats are puerile. There are good reasons why such intellectual children are not in chrage of the world's economic, social, and military super-power.
Now, Pakistan plays a role in the current global power struggle, but it is not central. Pakistan has had elections before; it will have them again. Pakistan has embraced technology, education, and capitalism before; it can embrace them again.
For his part, Musharaff is even sharper than the old Assad, Sr. of Syria...but Musharaff has chosen our side, and that will buy Pakistan all the time that it needs to get back to democratic elections (lamentations from children like Senator Kerry aside).
"In other words, China has not yet made its decision on which side it will finally choose."
I would contend that China has decided and it's policies from the Korean War onward have proven that.
China is diametrically opposed to anything American and free, it is in their nature. Also, Krauthammer is right on with his thesis of how China is using WTO and capitalist mechanism to gain financial affluence and gain leverage over capitalist countries.
Beware of China, now and in the future.