The greatest threat posed by an Iran with nuclear weapons will be to the remenants of the sunni in Iraq. Post-reconstruction Iraq will in all probability be partitioned, with the majority shia taking the major oil producing areas. This will inevitably lead to war with both the minority kurds, and also with the dispossesed, formerly powerful sunni's.

The new states solution to the kurdish problem is likely to resemble the solutions used to date by the Turks, Iraqis and Iran. The difficulties of repeating this solution for the benefit of the sunni population will be exacerbated by the fact that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE will intervene. This will inevitably provoke western intervention, and for some considerable time Iran will be far to pre-occupied with western air strikes (ala Kuwait / Desert Storm) to pay significant attention to Israel. If by some miraculous freak, Iran does survive, and maintain control of a nuclear arsenal, I suggest Russia will probably intervene, if only to remove the potential spectre of nuclear equipped chechen terrorists.

I do not believe that any of this will overburden Israel.

alakhem shalom,

Aaron

C'mon Redneck they did patent an electronic prayer mat a couple of years back!

All the muslims I've ever worked with hate Israel and blame it, along with the US for absolutely everything wrong on the planet.

It's deeply ingrained and only a catyclasmic event would change it.

The difference between you Boaz (and your underlings) and the Greens, Democrats? Well the D and G's have moved into the twenty-first century. They seem to see that violence and hatred is a foolish way of conducting ourselves.

I sense a bit of primal yearning in you Boaz - or is it just that at heart you believe that the taking of human life is justified in the name of your religion - your culture? Me thinks you stir too much, are overly concerned for the "defence" argument to be you main motivaton. If you are Viet vet, perhaps it is an unconscious response to your treatment and experiences. Perhaps it is the inner conflict between the acceptance of the Kind Teachings and the reality of warfare. I'd be trying to shift a little more towards the Teachings there old mate. Your macho egoism is fairly transparent too.

I do not share the idea that might is right - that forcefulness is sign of strength. Bellicose attitude is a cultural aspect that must be seen as counter productive to human well being and dispute resolution.

Jimmy Little once advised: "Don't mistake kindness and niceness for weakness." I pass that onto you Boaz (and your team). Be nice.

IF Israel was deleted, blasted off the map, would the muslim countries live happily ever after? Or would they just resume fighting each other and blaming everyone but themselves for the backward countries they live in?
Until they can get their collective heads out of "the book'" they will never come to terms with modern life or find a path to a creative,peaceful existence.
Those who have such a hold over them will fight to retain that hold and refuse to let their 'faithful' know a better way of living.

Sorry about the delay, Yuyutsu, but still thought it necessary to argue about your statement that the Israelis were not backed by America much before the Israeli destruction of Saddam’s part completed nuclear construction in 1981. The Americans had been backing the Israelis ever since the first Arab attack on Israel in the early 1970s, as well as the later Yom Kippur War both being successful not only through Israeli combat skills but also by the use of American supplied equipment. Henry Kissinger was also involved playing his usual two-timer game conning the Arabs as well as his Jews and Americans.

While on the job, regarding democracy, it is interesting how the latest copy of the Guardian newspaper, in talking about the lead-up to the global conference in Argentina to which Bush has virtually a small regiment of military protectors lined up, the Guardian gets a bit cynical in saying how democracy has flowered so much in South America since the US has left it alone, whereas previously it suffered with a rash of right-wing dictators like Pinochet, the CIA throwing out socialist left-wingers like Allende.

Maybe our Column needs a Posting explaining where our democracies really came from, whether right or left? Could be enlightening to set up a challenge, Yuyutsu, with no drawing of swords ? Personally though, mate, with going on 85, surely . getting a bit old for it. What about some of our younger ones getting into it. Instead of sniping at one another it might be a good idea to have some personal suggestions about making it a better world. They call it idealism, though not for oneself - something better than following some right or left wing diatribe which could make this world so unliveable for all our great great grandkids? .

Regards,

GeorgeC, WA - Bushbred

Thought to share a view on the topic as I lived as an Egyptian Arab Muslim:

Iran nukes: Agree with AriBenCanaan, Shiite power through history was proven to be deadly to other Muslims and not Jewish or others. It is likely to be a stunt to gain support in the Arab and Muslim world (Palestine is always a cause of sympathy used by other dictators).

Israel: Jews always lived happily and safely in Muslim countries until the partition of Palestine by the UN and British flag. Using the “Old will die and the young will forget” slogan, the use of military might was the only tool to expand the borders until taking control of Jerusalem from Arab Muslims and Christians. The ‘land for peace’ was always followed by a conflicting ‘land for settlers’ policy which always discredited their ‘peace intentions’.

While Zionism helped Israel establish itself as a country, it is important to focus on rebuilding relations with its neighboring countries. Israel’s major credibility challenge is in two areas:
- Define its borders (legal rather than the biblical ones).
- Show some gratitude to the Palestinians and help them build their economy. After all, it is the very same land and people that sheltered them from the Nazis.

Carniflex, RedNeck,

Even though Muslim world is at its weakest point, there were 8 Nobel prize winners (4 for Peace, 2 Chemistry and 2 Literature). Be grateful that there were no Patent laws when hospitals, construction and even toilets were invented (by the Egyptians), otherwise you will be paying a ‘latrine license’ every time you wee.

An average student there is likely to have studied world history, geography and likely other religions. BTW, "Luca Paciolli" is not a pizza and we, Muslims don't eat our young either. Go get an Atlas..

Kaktuz & BD,

The book of revelations is the virtue of the naïve and the vicious.
‘everything is written’ so lets continue persecuting Palestinians anyway cause oneday someone will apear in a busy square in Tel Aviv with a WMD!
Are you guys for real?