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Paris, France - As this recent plot demonstrates, Al Qaeda stubbornly defines its targets and then gradually improves its means. The goal: to inspire terror and paralyze the economy. Indeed, stock market fluctuations show a temporary link between mind and burse. But over the long term Al Qaeda's tactics fail.
Paris, France - Lebanon's problem is that its political system is based on sectarian affiliations. On the positive side it obliges the three dominant communities (Christians, Shi'as and Sunnis) to compromise. It also preserves the religiously neutral nature of the Lebanese state. On the negative side it prevents real democracy with "one man, one vote" from taking place.
Paris, France - Iraq would not be better off if divided since Iraq would be no more. And what of the Iraqis? I say they probably will not be better off because the fighting will go on under new banners.
Paris, France - The war is making the world more dangerous because no protagonist will achieve any of its goals. Moreover, each might be tempted, at worst, to extend the war or at best to achieve a temporary peace agreement in order to prepare for future battles.
Paris, France -- The problem is that none of the present actors in the Middle East have a coherent, long-term and positive strategy for achieving peace. Determination to use or resist violence is a motto, not a political program.
China is less interested in international security because it feels far less insecure than other countries. It is too big to really suffer from a single nuclear strike coming from a small rogue state; it can bear terrorist actions without a public opinion uproar against the government.
Paris, France -- Any mediation should concentrate on an immediate cease-fire and the release of all prisoners from both sides. But to avoid a return to square one, an agreement has to be struck on the key issues: the recognition of Israel by Hamas and the acceptance of the results of democratic elections in Palestine by Israel.
Paris, France -- The war in Iraq shows us, in retrospect, that the USA was right not to intervene in the Hungarian upheaval of 1956. It would have unleashed a bloody and protracted war in Europe, even if it ended in victory. Thirty-five years after the failed revolt in Hungary, the whole Soviet block collapsed from inside without any bloodshed.
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