...what in recent US foreign policy could be considered beneficial to Israel (or indeed anyone in the Middle East)? And I don't mean that as a rhetorical question. Sure, on the surface, I could see why taking out your enemies would be considered beneficial, but the devil you know... Is Israel safer with Iraq in its current state than with Iraq and a neutered Saddam? And as far as Iran goes, are we to assume that the Ayatollahs are suicidal maniacs? Seems to me they've been in charge of the country a bit too long to be suicidal, at least...

"The basis of optimism is sheer terror" - Oscar Wilde