Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (32276)	6/13/2002 6:40:10 PM
From: paul_philp	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

Hawk, Actually Paul... I have a sense that we're going after Iraq because it will remove one more source of potential support for the eventual regime change to come in Saudi Arabia. Some have noticed that the Saudis have been making "nice-nice" with Saddam since they see him as a potential foil against US agression. This makes sense. Once Iraq falls, Syria will be next and then the Saudis will be completely isolated. At that point they will be forced to repress their Wahabbi zealots or face the potential return of the Hashemites to ruling over the peninsula... How do you see the fall of Syria being so tightly tied to the fall of Iraq? But first we must isolate it from the environment that makes its communicability possible. Nice extension of the metaphor. Isolation is the first defense. You have give me something to ponder. Thank you. Paul

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (32276)	6/13/2002 7:28:10 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Does anyone have any clue what the various rumors coming out of Washington mean, "Bush leaning to Mideast timetable, but with a performance requirement", "Sharon open to Palestinian state," "Powell favors interim Palestinian state"? It doesn't add up to any sense. What would an 'interim' state be? What would be interim about it? The borders? How would this be different from Area A under Oslo? They keep on mouthing the need for Palestinian reform, but the Palestinians themselves are saying there is no reform. One gets the sense of a fluid set of potential declarations, with all parties knowing perfectly well that nothing is likely to change until Arafat dies or the US invades Iraq.

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (32276)	6/14/2002 7:12:39 AM
From: D. Long	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

Once Iraq falls, Syria will be next and then the Saudis will be completely isolated. At that point they will be forced to repress their Wahabbi zealots or face the potential return of the Hashemites to ruling over the peninsula... I'm fascinated by this idea. It would be brilliant. We would at once co-opt the Pan-Arabism of our enemies and install a Western friendly, constitutional monarchy whose King is a direct descendent of Mohammed. Syria-Iraq-Jordan. And if necessary, Saudi Arabia. Am I nuts? Derek