1972 — India and Pakistan sign a peace accord, renaming the ceasefire line in Kashmir as the Line of Control, a heavily fortified stretch of military outposts that divide the region between them. Both sides deploy more troops along the frontier, turning it into a heavily fortified stretch of military outposts.

A day after a ceasefire was reached, India says its strikes into the Pakistani-held part of Kashmir and Pakistan last week killed more than 100 militants.

Foreign policy hawks sometimes argue that America should be the "world's policeman" (not to mention the world's judge, jury, and executioner). But with India and Pakistan, the United States is more like a referee, respected by both sides. That's a role the U.S. could play everywhere.