Can see your point. However we keep underestimating this superb politician
He knows that the Leaders of Malaysia,Indonesia and the Phillipines hate the terrorists because of the real threat to their own power, and to be fair, because of what they think is in the best interests of their countries and region.
For that reason it is unthinkable that any of them will relax their opposition to the terrorists.
So Howard is doing nothing more than keeping them focused. On the other hand he may be trying to get a new doctrine of pre-emption written into UN law. That may come anyway if terrorist attacks escalate.
Whatever the reason he is in front of the action and we are seeing a top politician in action.
In the end it is generally those who use diplomacy that act amorally. eg. Whitlam with Timor and Cambodia.
