Good Los Angeles Times piece about the vexed question of giving money to the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence agency because of its ties to, like, the people we’re fighting next door.

The payments have triggered intense debate within the U.S. government, officials said, because of long-standing suspicions that the ISI continues to help Taliban extremists who undermine U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and provide sanctuary to Al Qaeda members in Pakistan.

But U.S. officials have continued the funding because the ISI’s assistance is considered crucial: Almost every major terrorist plot this decade has originated in Pakistan’s tribal belt, where ISI informant networks are a primary source of intelligence.

While I recognize that what I’m about to suggest is usually the type of proposal that results in a total debacle, why can’t we just pocket the ISI’s ties to the Taliban? Like put it to our advantage. Use the ISI as an interlocutor or a facilitator to figure out what kind of backchannel deals can be cut with the Taliban to get combatants off the battlefield. Or even to just gather intelligence about the fuckers!

Look, maybe it’s not possible. And if so, ah well. But can’t we test the proposition?