America’s hit-and-run approach is downright irresponsible. It is hardly becoming of a superpower. Admitting mistakes might be more difficult, but it ought to serve as the frame and the mindset of the most able superpower in history. The rest of the world is always available to help along with cool-headed and dignified logic.

We are living in an interdependent world, not in antiquated domains set up at Yalta. Pakistan is now a failed state, and not a mere dominion of the Commonwealth of English speakers. Interdependence of all nations is a fact, and not a plan. The flow of instant information, from every angle, is a lot faster than the single channel of old-fashioned embassy cables which once summarized superficial discussions at cocktail parties.

There are many elements in this interconnected world that did not exist at the time of the Iranian revolution. One of those is the Pakistani diaspora. Any further disconnection and abandonment of Pakistanis will probably lead to more violence on the Main Streets of other countries. The most serious “threat” posed by dissident Iranians abroad were peaceful demonstrations: when the Shah arrived at the White House. Police fired a few tear gas canisters.

Pakistan is the de facto exile base and the premier stomping ground for dissident, violent Saudis and their extremist ideology. It is still the main operating base of al-Qaeda, which is now essentially a violent gang without a doctrine. If left unchecked, al-Qaeda could easily use Pakistan as a platform to destabilize Saudi Arabia – faster than we can all say “Plan B.”

It is time to reach out to multilateral forums, get the United Nations in gear, and engage others as partners and not as pawns. China, Russia, Iran, India and others can contribute to the effort – it’s in their neighborhood. The three-decade old UN mandate for peacekeeping in Kashmir can serve as a platform to expand the mission and controls of Pakistan.

It is time for America to climb down from its pedestal and admit mistakes, not to run from the scene of the accident. America must engage the world in a serious debate. If that leads to the end of the rough, unilateral policies of the last seven years, so be it. The top item on the agenda must be disarming Pakistan’s nuclear capability, and that requires an honest assessment of Pakistan’s present circumstances. If that leads to a completely different structure, such as dissolution, so be it as well.