Though they may like to do it, Iran simply doesn't have the capability to wipe Israel off the map at this point; Ahmadinejad may have been trying to appease those radical voices within his country, or he may have been trying to provoke Israel to do something rash and come across as an agressor nation.

For Tehran, a free and fair election inside Palestine would include Hamas, who they have long supported. Israel has resisted this, though there has been some movement in that direction as of late. Iran has also been a long time supporter of a one-state solution, meaning an Arab-majority state - this may have even been what he was referring to when he said "wipe Israel off the map." Perhaps they realize that a democratically elected Palestinian government would have more strength to bargain with Israel. It is difficult to tell, but let's be honest: Iran isn't the first nation to make contradictory statements. Just part of the diplomacy game.

Besides, it makes things more interesting for those of us who follow it closely .
Mike McKain | 10.30.05 - 9:01 pm | #

Very true. Thanks for some anaylsis I hadn't considered previously.

I see a two-state, both democracies, as the only way to any sort of peace.
Ryan S. | Homepage | 10.30.05 - 9:15 pm | #