Send us your comments >> The writer, an Iranian author and journalist, is editor of the Paris-based Politique Internationale. Adina Kutnicki, Ridgewood, New Jersey: Regarding "Whose New Middle East" - I do not have a scintilla of a doubt that Tahiri's analysis is correct. After reading this cogent and very scary article about Iran's declaration to wipe Israel off the map - despite the outrage that the Iranian President knew would ensue - now makes perfect sense. Why? Because he is putting all Muslim countries on notice that it will be Iran's Shiite regime that will realize their collective dream of destroying Israel. Therefore, they better get used to Iran calling all the regional shots. The Sunnis would be so "grateful" for their "present" they will be simultaneously ecstatic and petrified of Iran. This outburst was only indirectly aimed at the western world. This was the main reason for Iran's President's belligerence - his promise to the entire Middle East needed to be made before the world. Ron, New York City: Isn't there a paradox between Ahmadinejad's call to destroy Israel and Khomenehi's call for a one-state solution? Is Ahmadinejad implying to destroy Israel in the literal sense, say by a nuclear bomb? If so, that would mean the destruction of Islam's third holiest site and the death of over four million Palestinians. Or is he implying the political end of Israel through regime change by military force (which would be in line with Khomenehi's statements). Joe, College Park, MA: This was a clear, to the point and penetrating piece. I only ask, what if anything, is being done to shut down Iranian nuclear capability. Perhaps the better question is what can be done? I pray a lot about this issue. I am more than a little scared. H. Peskin, Montreal, Canada: About a month ago, a meeting was held in Chicago discussing the looming threat of Islamic extremism around the world. Present were Daniel Pipes and several other prominent observers of the Middle East and the Muslim world. High on the agenda was the question of where we were going in Iraq? There is little doubt that elections scheduled in mid December will bring about a majority Shia government and the implementation of the much-vaunted newly established constitution. It might be of interest to examine this constitution a lot more closely than has been done to date. Here are some of the more pertinent provisions. Both the Kurdish north and the Shiite south will be allowed to retain their own militias. Furthermore the Shiites are to keep all revenues from present oil production and future exploration. The Kurds on the other hand are expected to share income from current oil production but will have the right to sole ownership of future exploration. In a nation like Iraq with little resources, other than oil, this provision means that the central government loses most of its power to the southern Shia provinces. And who has the preponderance of power in the south. The five largest parties are Islamic with a strong fundamentalist bent. Their model for governance is that of Iran. The most powerful individual in the state is not an elected official but the Grand Ayatollah Sistani. In the last election, Sistani issued a fatwa stating that it is the religious duty for Shiites to vote. Sixty percent turned out, an unhead of figure by North American standards. The Shias are not pro American and are rabidly anti Israeli. They to gain power, pure and simple, are using America. Once elected the Americans will be invited to leave and will do so with little hesitation. You might wonder why the US is being so compliant. Well, as Daniel Pipes pointed out, when you are trapped in a sinkhole, you are most concerned to get out; you worry about the consequences later. Iranian advisors are prepared to replace the American ones as soon as the right moment arrives. In the meanwhile large amount of weaponry is being shipped from Iran to the Shia militias. Sistani has stated on several occasions that he has little trust or confidence in the American trained federal troops. Here he might be correct since there is little motivation to fight amongst these forces, wheras the Militias are fanatic in the outlook. They also to happen to be fearless fighters. For Israel, this is the nightmare scenario. Iran's pending expansion of influence as well as their nuclear aspirations pose a mortal threat. Just around the time Iraq invaded Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini made a cryptic remark. He stated that the road to Jerusalem goes through Baghdad. It would be tragically ironic if the US invasion of Iraq helps fulfill this prediction. President Bush is turning out to be a disaster for Israel. Amir Taheri, Switzerland: America understands the nature of the conflict and the vast majority of the American people understand how much is at stake. Maybe the author has been spending too much time talking to French intellectuals in Paris. History is riddled with the corpses of those who underestimate the staying power of Americans. There is no way that the United States, or for that matter Israel, will tolerate a state like Iran with nuclear weapons. Steven Wilson, Anchorage, Alaska: Maybe it is about time that the United States and Israel initiate a Mutually Assured Destruction Agreement against Iran. Biological and Nuclear holocaust would be initiated if the Iranian Regime tried to destroy Israel. Not that this is not the plan already, but let's put it in writing for a change. It's time to play hardball with the Iranian nut. He is obviously either related to Adolf Hitler or a clone of his. He held american hostages and mistreated them long enough in 1979 to 1981 Would he do any less to Jews or Americans? Iran is an enemy to any freedom-loving nation. Lets plan for their destruction before our own. Joe Levi, Los Angeles: I suppose Israel with it's over 200 nukes, 5,000 artillery pieces, 5,000 tanks, 1m man and woman army including the reserves, over 700 planes and the best pilots in the world, will simply wait around for the Iranians to make good on their threat. What nonsense. Israel right now can devastate Iran, take out its nuclear plants, and destroy most of its oil. I'm sure, long before Iran mounts its nuclear bombs on its long-range missiles; the combined Israeli and US air force wills ensure peace and stability in that region. If I were innocent Iranians, I would be packing my belongings and heading for the hills right now. Give me a break...when Iran's supposed nukes fall on Israel, where will the Palestinians be, hiding in shelters?
More about: | George W. Bush, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Ruhollah Khomeini, Silvio Berlusconi |