The spasm of violence was confirmation that the militants had regrouped despite recent military operations against their forces and the killing of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in a CIA drone attack in August. His replacement vowed just last week to step up attacks around the country and repel any push into Waziristan.

People need to stop worrying so much about Iran (which has "No First Strikes" enshrined in its constitution), and turn their efforts to supporting democratic government in Pakistan.