[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

At the request of a European freeper

The association Acmedias (auditeurs critiques des medias = critical media spectators) is gathering signatures on a petition relative to the accounting of victims by AFP (Agence France-Presse) in the israeli-palestinian conflict.

The petition and the list of signatures will be given to the members of the council of administration of AFP, which includes nominees of the Prime Minister, of the Minister of Economy and Finances, of the Minister of Industry and of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[Sam Cree]

"And by that I mean the clear and present danger posed by the certainty that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, neither Bush nor Kerry have enunciated what might be considered a coherent policy concerning this real threat."

Well, I believe Kerry has said he will approach this problem by supplying Iran with nuclear material, since he thinks doing the same for N Korea worked so well.

Another problem is that Islamic radicals will probably consider a Kerry victory as a great victory in their war against the West. No doubt the Iranian mullahs will see it that way too, and be emboldened to continue their efforts at nuclear armament.

And we should not forget that the Iranians have a long list of targets within America herself that they have earmarked for destruction.

[wizardoz]

The current administration is clearly divided over whether to confront Tehran or to engage in a dialogue aimed at getting them to stand down from their nuclear ambitions. Despite some strong rhetoric from Washington, Iran may think it has no reason to fear resolute action.

Not in the next three weeks, anyway. I'm not surprised that Bush's re-election platform ISN'T "Vote for me and I'll invade Iran next." I mean, come on.

[Valin]

maybe it's time again to ask what exactly it is that the Palestinians want?

I think we all know the answer to this.