[Rome2000]

Iraq would then make mischief. Probably doing all it can to engage Israel in the conflict. The West Bank and Lebanon would then go up in flames. Syria would become involved. Then all hell would break loose.

While your analysis is quite plausible and interesting, I believe all hell has already broken loose.

There are close to 6000 Americans dead in one day on US soil at the hands of islamic fundamentalist terrorists.

All nations whose governmnents are or have been sympathetic to, aided, abetted, or are unable to control these types of organizations within their borders are our enemy and must be dealt with accordingly.

And one other very important thing.

All these countries together haven't been able to take out tiny Israel.

That should speak for itself.

[onehipdad]

Thirty years ago I was majoring in East Asian Languages & Lit. at Indiana University. Earlier this evening I pulled out one of my college tomes to give my wife some background on Islam. I remembered the author well, Joseph M. Kitagawa and came across this gem, one of the first guiding principles Muhammad gave the people of Medina just after his arrival as ruler of the city:
"A believer will not slay a believer for an infidel, nor will he aid an infidel against a believer. The security [given by God's community] is collective. The protection granted by the least of believers involves [all] in the duty." (Religions of the East, by J.M. Kitagawa, Westminster Press 1968)

Now, how much can we really expect from any Muslim nation?

[TKEman]

Yes, the train, so to speak, has already left the station, and nothing can be done about it. Justice must be done. I just urge caution and some restraint to start out with. We need to think carefully about what we do, in order to not kick off a major war. Or at least keep the war as localized and contained as possible.