"To address these problems, I made sure to involve key regional experts. I brought inZalmay Khalilzad, an expert on Afghanistan who, as a senior diplomat in the 1980s, had workedclosely with the Afghan Mujahedeen, helping them to turn back the Soviet invasion. I also ensured the participation of the NSC experts on South Asia, as well as the Secretary of State and his regionalspecialists. Together, we developed a new strategic approach to Afghanistan. Instead of theintense focus on the Northern Alliance, we emphasized the importance of the south - - the social and political heartland of the country. Our new approach to Pakistan combined the use of carrots and sticksto persuade Pakistan to drop its support for the Taliban. And we began to change our approach toIndia, to preserve stability on the subcontinent."