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.

Civilian airports were reopened and stocks jumped in both nations, signs of confidence that the agreement to halt the most alarming fighting in decades was holding.

The ceasefire has halted what some analysts say was the most serious fighting between the two countries since a 1971 war. But India's recent suspension of a key water-sharing treaty remains in place.