  We present a calculation of the direct CP asymmetry, $A_{CP}^{dir}$, for the
process $B^+ \to \pi^+ K^0$ including the effects of long-range inelastic
final-state interactions (FSI). We admit three channels in our calculation:
$B^+ \to (\pi^+ K^0), (\eta K^+)$, and $(D_s^+ \bar{D}^0)$. The strong
scattering is described in terms of Pomeron and Regge exchanges. We find that
the direct CP asymmetry is enhanced by a factor of $\sim 3$ as a result of FSI,
but remains well short of the claims of (10 - 20)% in recent literature. A
critical assessment of papers claiming large CP asymmetries is also presented.
