Iran seeks to become major Mideast player

By BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press Writer Thu Jul 20

TEHRAN, Iran - Iranian officials often say that places with the greatest troubles 
offer their country the best opportunities.

Iranian influence in Iraq has surged since the U.S.-led invasion three years ago. 
Its reach into Afghanistan continues to grow.

And now, the war in Lebanon could make Iran an even more important player in 
the Islamic world even as its militant Shiite Arab client, Hezbollah, gets pounded 
by Israel.

"Iran sees itself more than just the moral father of Hezbollah. Iran seeks to 
become a major force across the region as a counterbalance to America and 
Israel," said Ahmad Bakhshaiesh, a professor of political studies at Tehran's 
Azadi University.

"Lebanon is part of this plan," he said.

Already, officials and experts say that for any cease-fire or broader peace 
package to succeed, Iran's deep ties with Hezbollah must be taken into account.

Hezbollah could emerge from the battles severely weakened militarily, but with its 
reputation enhanced in the Muslim world for resisting Israel. That in turn would 
give Iran, a non-Arab country, an even higher profile in the Arab world — a 
prospect that frightens the Jewish state.

Invade Iraq, $300 billion, impotent U.S.. Assasinate Hussein, cost of bullets, U.S. military remains intact. What a choice.

I know. Why, for a pacifist, do I keep dwelling on assassination of Hussein over invasion of Iraq. Simple. It's cheaper, more efficient, and less disruptive to us. To those that claim the U.S. doesn't do assassinations, I say "Bullhockey!" We do. It's just not publicized. But how is it morally better to invade and kill thousands of people instead of taking out the one person who is claimed to be the problem? Even if the Hussein Administration were targetted, that'd be better than invasion and the disruption that caused the Iraqis.

But the answer is in the billions we've spent and that have disappeared into the pockets of Government officials (ours and theirs), Government friends and business contacts, and so on.

So if we can't repeal Bush then we should say, in our "sincerest" tone of voice, "Thanks Bush!"