OK, let's consider what kind of leverage we could apply. Setting aside the legal, cultural or moral issues involved, do you think the following would work?

We pick up stakes and leave the Middle East, leaving the message that they'd better get their act in order. We tell them very specifically--if there is another terrorist attack on the U.S. homeland or on U.S. facilities or interests anywhere in the world, we will respond in kind. If they commit terrorism and kill 3,000 Americans, we will send in a couple F-16's with tactical nuclear weapons and make toast out of one of their cities or population centers. Obviously, there will be a terrorist attack. We then do what we said we'd do and turn some part of the Middle East into molten glass, metal and wailing women.

That's as direct an application of brute strength as I can think of. That's actually the way we won the WWII war with Japan. But would it work today? What would be the next step? Who would take the next step? How would such an application of brute force effect our relations with other major powers, particularly those that have nuclear weapons or significant military capability themselves?

If I've gone a bit too far with my example of "brute strength", then what lesser example might be recommended that might work to accomplish our objectives?