It's amazing how well behaved Syria and Iran have been since the US showed that it meant business.

Likely because they are looking to the post-war world and their place within it. As are we and everyone else at this point. We win - utlimately. Then what? Every country - including North Korea, Iran and Syria - is watching ... and strategically planning their best outcome. A time of realignment is underway....to state the obvious.

I am not so sanguine about Iran. They want Saddam gone and will not get in our way in removing him but once we are running Iraq I expect alot of Iranian-backed terrorism. The last thing they want is an American example of a prospering free country for their young people to admire.

well summabich
now i spose dubbyas
gotta give them dayum
eye-a-tullas an
attaboy
Sheeeite!

I'm may be a bit naive here but from recent readings I think another revolution is coming soon in Iran, from within. Personally, I have every hope that terroism is not going to be on Iran's agenda of activities, they didn't help the bin Laden refugees near as much as the Paks have and unlike N.K. they have made statements and followed them with actions that there nuclear program will be IAF monitored, although frankly, why a nation with the oil reserves they have need a nuclear reactor is beyond me.

This is why Iran wants a nuclear reactor:

"'If a day comes when the world of Islam is duly equipped with the arms Israel has in possession, the strategy of colonialism would face a stalemate because application of an atomic bomb would not leave any thing in Israel but the same thing would just produce damages in the Muslim world,' Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani told the crowd at the traditional Friday prayers in Tehran."

Iran has been causing problems in Afghanistan. Mostly by supporting opposition thugs like Hekmatyar.

This is certainly surprising. Although there is no love lost between the mullahs and Saddam, they have much to fear with a pro-American regime on another border.

If these students are serious about a democratic revolution in iran then I would think making friendly with iran would be a good idea, but only if they move to a democratic state and thats a big if.

It is amazing that how ignorant average public opinion is about the middle east, it is very interesting to follow the trail of most of the U.S wanted terrorists, you will find a way to C.I.A payroll. Do average Americans care why Saddam Hussein was employed by C.I.A back in 1950's? Or why C.I.A toppled Mosadeq democratic government in Iran back in 50's? Now Iranian people have to suffer the consequences of U.S policies to create a fundamentalist belt around the soviet to prevent the spread of communism. It is the time for the west to take responsibilities, U.S dragged the soviet into the Afghanistan to create a Vietnam for them; does American bother to ask once, to whom expense? The answer is: Poor Afghani people. After the soviet collapse no U.S politician bother to think of Afghani women or children suffering.
September 11 was a sad day for mankind, no doubt about it. But it also served as an alert to whom that may realize it:
We cannot continue our lavish life style in expense of others. At the end of the day we are all human.

no doubt the time for mullahs in Iran is gone. they are waiting for a green light to jump into arms of America.

The objectives of this war are clear: Control of Iraqi O.I.L.

If anyone blieves otherwise, they are simply fooling themselves. If and when the US succeeds in controlling Iraqi oil, there is no reason not to control Iranian oil as well. The American tax payer foots the bills for this war (some insane amount: $75 B). Just ask yourselves who will benefit from controlling the Iraqi and Iranian oil? Answer: the American and British oil companies.

No doubt Iranians want Saddam's regime to go to hell, as the majority of Iran's current population has grown under the deadly Iraq-Iran war and remember everything. On the other hand, for Iranians, watching big changes happening on their western borders is nothing new: Iraq is a new country which came out of the Ottoman empire after the WWI (all the countries west/south of Iran - from Turkey and Iraq to Lebonan and Israel - are new countries, created after the collapse of the Ottomans). Throughout the history - from ancient times to 20th century - the political map of that region has constantly been changed. The same thing is happening again: Another big change again by forces from another place; and this time it's for Oil.

Without good knowledge of middle-east history, one would not be able to analyze events correctly. It's improper to compare Nations like Iran and India (who have always been there) to other very young countries (almost all Arab states).