Ah! DougR, a pertinant comment. Although from this (East) side of the pond there does seem to be a lack of coherent, long term thought from Bush.

Having had my ear bent tonight by one of the less intelligent "leftist" types accusing the oil companies of fermenting the present conflict in Afghanistan, and I have no doubt it will shortley be an article of faith in some circles that the Bush administration deliberatly failed to stop WTC 9/11 in order to give cause for an invasion, I am a little short tempered on the subject.

The pure economic and military strength of the US of A make Bush the Younger a world leader. Nothing I have seen, from a distance, makes me have any faith in his capability to fill such a role.

Perhaps it is time that the US of A, as a whole, looked at cause rather than fire fighting the effects.

I fear that the present cycle of retailation, counter retaliation, and " get your retaliation in first", does nothing to enhance any hope for general stability in the Middle East - in fact its comming very near the old Crusaders Slogan " Kill the lot - God will recognise his own."

And that is frightening.

Gareth.