Not to mention a modern air force, equipped with F-16s.
INsert the word "the USSR" for "Pakistan" above, and you could have said that in the 80s. Of course, the Afghans were fighting in their own territory then. But every Pakistani I have ever known is a pansy (of course, students in the USA are often pansies). But the key factor, as always, is motivation. I don't think Pakistan has the will to fight the Afghans right now, but the Afghans have their back to the wall, and an underdog, protect-home mentality right now. If they were to penetrate into Pakistan very far, that might change, not to mention the US would probably fairly wipe them out from the air in Northern Pakistan. Just thinking out loud.
IN the past Afghanistan did beat back the British and the Russians... they have incredible resolve... they are extremists.
We should be arming and mobilizing the groups that opposed and dispise the taliban as much as anything else... they fight with the same style and determination, and can take them out.
I have no doubt we can destroy the taliban... but don't think for one minute that they will be less determined and tenacious than the Japanese were in the south pacific... They will fight to the last man.
And a much larger population. 25,000 is a nuiscance.