Dajjal brings up some good facts to understand the motivations of Ahmadinejad. Dajjal, you need to keep posting and sharing your thoughts so others can understand the rationale of this individual and the Shia like him. The fact the author above could even consider the old MAD doctrine in dealing with those who share his ideology make me wonder if its worth it to gnaw through the leather straps some mornings...
I've found talking to "muslims" ("true believers," so called scholars, and those "in name only") about their personal end of times beliefs is infuriating as they each have a different take on things depending on where they have studied, which school of thought they are most influenced by, and am amazed how they readily accept what they are told (the scholars are all wise, dontchyaknow) without question and fatalistically go on with their lives in ignorance, but with a smile. The "tiada apa" attitude that overrides many of their brains.
It's what muslims often don't think of which bothers me... their children and their futures with nuts like Ahmadinejad around and where shows of arrogance and "standing up to the west" in unity with the ummah in the pursuit of regaining the mythical lost glories of islamic empire, will get them.
DS, you know me... I step back and look at the big picture and try to consider long term results of our often myopic short term actions. Smaller differences in the plan many not matter when the end result and issues may be the same.
Time is running out, and arthurus (post #9) hits upon a concern of mine: Even a successful raising of the people against the government is apt to cause a nuclear launch in a last gasp attempt to bring on Mr. 12 to rescue the situation.
IMHO, Ahmadinejad is out there running around in broad daylight and his location often known. He's been lucky so far. I hope it wont last.
But Iran, of course, will not be the last time an islamic nation threatens us all, and I've been spending more time in a discussion considering the consequences and options a few steps further down the road.