Will this increase or decrease the likelihood of terrorist actions in America, Europe and the rest of the world?

If you were a member of a family murdered in this conflict, would you be seeking revenge?

Should Tzipi Livni and Ehud Olmert, be tried for war crimes if or when this conflict comes to an end?

What will the price of oil be in 4 weeks time?

Haystack. Do you mean they can tolerate the cost of doing so.

America has been so associated with Israel appalling humanitarian record in the past that the economic repercussions would be too painful.

I think after Iraq that the Americans are wisely "once biiten twice shy".

If they do attempt to take Iran's Nuclear program down, the Middle East will be a cauldron for the next 30 years, rather than a bubbling pot for the next 10years.

Israel needs to put its clubs down and be a little more humble at the negociating table.

From earlier postings, the latter seems a little to difficult for many of them.

I wish Obama every success in knocking heads together.

Iran's nuclear plants is not he same as Iran's nuclear bomb plants though.

If Israel received $3.5bln a month from the USA, Obama can ask them to do whatever he wants.

Obama is wrestling with the realities of Government. He was going to close Gitmo -- now he's not -- now that he's party to the information about who they're holding there. He knows he can't let them go, no-one else wants them -- he's stuck.

Bush's stance was not as unreasonable as it might seem. His attitude was that the USA was at war with Al Qaeda. In a war environment you take prisoners and it is not usual to let them go while the war persists. It is also not usual to have trials for prisoners of war. You just keep them locked up for the duration. Most were captured in war zones as combatants. In fact Bush used to use that very phrase 'enemy combatants' to describe the inmates of Guantanamo.

"The Obama administration has said some of the Guantanamo detainees, now numbering about 240, will be freed while others will be put on trial. A third category involves some prisoners deemed too dangerous to be released. Major human rights groups said the policies will still allow the United States to detain prisoners seized far from a battlefield and that key definitions were left out, such as what constitutes "substantial" support for a militant group."

MM is right. Obama reminds me of Blair, he talks a lot and does it very well but when the details of the issues are investigated very little seems to come to fruition. I believe he is sweet talking the Middle East now to try and offload the G'mo prisoners. Not much has really changed in my eyes.

Disagree, Blair was intellectual shallow, egocentric and a chameleon, similar to with Wisteria. Both have their appeal to some of the shallow thinkers in the middle classes

Obama, I think is highly intelligent and has thought out policies, although the latter will take some skill to implement. I also think his core moral values are obvious and again thought out, not whimsical like Blair's were.

Interesting to watch Obama's tour through the Middle East and the new "moderation" in American politics.

I didn't say he wasn't intellectual, I simply compared him to Blair in that he is promising policies that I can't see him being able to deliver. In some ways I see him as being nothing more than a travelling showman enchanting the shallow thinkers you refer to (and he spends far too much time on TV for my liking).

It will be interesting to see if he can offload the G'mo problem on the Middle East, he has a head start in that the Human Rights Act won't stop him sending 'enemy combatants' to places that may be a bit rough with them.

Showing moderation in the Middle East is just as unlikely to solve any issues as being hard line imo.

Interesting speech.

Can he deal with those who are out of touch and shout the old rhetoric.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090604/wl_afp/usdiplomacymideastislam_20090604140437;_ylt=An2lK.6m5mD7vF_K.5xzhS6sOrgF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ1bzM5aWIyBGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDA5MDYwNC91c2RpcGxvbWFjeW1pZGVhc3Rpc2xhbQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNvYmFt

CAIRO (AFP) US President Barack Obama on Thursday vowed to forge a "new beginning" for Islam and America in a landmark speech to the world's Muslims, evoking a vision of peace after a smouldering cycle of "suspicion and discord."

In what may be a defining moment of his presidency, Obama laid out a new blueprint for US Middle East policy, vowing to end mistrust, forge a Palestinian state and defuse a nuclear showdown with Iran.

"So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace," said Obama, who was greeted with a standing ovation as he stepped up to the podium at Cairo University.

Obama's long-awaited speech fulfilled a campaign promise and came after he held talks in Saudi Arabia Wednesday with King Abdullah and Thursday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak aimed at reviving Middle East peace moves.

In the university's imposing domed Great Hall, Obama said the US bond with Israel, the source of much Arab distrust of the United States, was unbreakable, and rejected "ignorant" rants by those who deny the Nazi Holocaust.

But, breaking from policies of his predecessor George W. Bush, Obama also rebuked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to halt West Bank settlement expansion and reiterated his backing for a two-state solution.

"I have come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," Obama said in a speech targeting the globe's 1.5 billion Muslims on television, the Internet and on social networking sites.

"This cycle of suspicion and discord must end," said Obama vowing to fight "negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.

"But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America," he said, and touched on contentious regional like democracy and women's rights.

Quoting the region's three holy books, the Koran, the Torah and the Bible, he evoked a future of "mutual interest and mutual respect, examining all sources of tension between America and the Muslim world.

The US president, laying out an ambitious foreign policy, to match the audacity of his domestic program, spoke directly to Muslims on their arguments with America.

....and the Iranians poured cold water on the idea before they even heard the speech. That tells me something. It takes two to tango as they say. I also noticed the 'showman' symbolic visit to a concentration camp in Germany immediately after to let those of Jewish persuasion know he hasn't cast them aside.

I find this interview far more interesting and offering much more hope....

http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=1363wmv&ak=null

Obama will be loved in the Middle East. USA image is going to be changed soon and the world recovery will start as a result, IMO.

Obama may be loved by the people of the ME but not necessarily by some powers. Therein lies the problem. I can't see what the ME has to offer that would kickstart the world economy.

Oil !!!!!

Oil !!!!! itself won't kickstart the world economy but it certainly has the potential to slam the brakes on VERY hard. Oil just sits in the ground minding its own business until things are moving.

Do you know what the opposite of this thread is ? answer : talking about finance on a girlie website !....... example : Don't you just love the way Brad Pitt dresses ?.....and the opposite follow up like you lot would be : they have frozen interest rates today !.

RF, Phew, that was well thought out.
Must read more of your financial words of wisdom.

The financial markets are not in a world of their own.

Interesting, rebuke of Israel's Settlement policy by Clinton within the last 48hours.

Israel, may have to come of age and respect its responsibilities.

So what will happen to price of oil in four weeks Fred?

Any advice on how best to play the financial angle regarding Clinton's rebuke much appreciated.

Much as I enjoy a bit of non-trading banter like many Required Field does have a point. Looking at the top 11 threads only 2 are really related to trading and they are not really a hive of activity (maybe 3 or 4 if you include the PC thread and SW meeting.) I guess we are all a bit more willing to share views on Gaza, British politics, TV programmes, rugby, beer, etc. than trading. I don't really mind but I can see how somebody coming to the Traders Room for discussion on trading might think he is in the wrong place.

Israeli Gaza conflict??????
MP"S expenses, laughing all the way to the bank MP
More responsible parenting froms Brits in Portugal....
The "Ask" Kayak thread :-)
PC & MAC CLINIC
The Apprentice - series 5
The Traders Thread - Friday 5th June
The SIPP and ISA thread
South-West meetings SW
Bunny's Beer Basement
Rugby Thread

Isaccs and RF, Post a little more of financial interest and your offerings will be at the top of the page. It is up to you.

But as you suggest, there are many threads which may provide a little light refreshment for some and rattled the cages of others.

If you don't wish to read the thread. Simple, don't!

Personally, I peruse quite a lot of threads without commenting or having any real interest in their topic. It is up to you.

If the Middle East doubled the price of oil, it would have an effect on the economic recovery.

Don't deal in commodities , but guess that oil may hit 75$ a barrel.

Fred you missed my point. I am not bothered either way but don't think it is fair to ridicule somebody who raises a valid point.

Isaacs, Who was I ridiculing?