Largely overlooked because of the burgeoning conflict in the Middle East, “open war” has erupted between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership. The fighting all along its southern rim represents a major setback for Central Asia’s global trade agenda. The Pakistani-Afghan conflict shows no signs of easing after almost a week of fighting. On March 2, Pakistan conducted air strikes on a key military site near Kabul, Bagram Air Base, which served as the hub for US military operations during the 20-year American presence…