ISLAMABAD -- Across the Mideast, the fact of life remains that violence breeds more violence. Thus the warning by Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah that al-Qaeda terrorists may stage retaliatory attacks if the United States leads a war against Iraq cannot be ignored. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Abdullah said the terrorist group led by Osama bin Laden could attempt to foment instability amid a war atmosphere.
As the chorus of U.S.-led war drums grows louder, the danger of what could turn into catastrophic fallout for the Iraqi people may become less apparent. The expected bloodshed in the event of war -- regardless of the fact that Washington is expected to win -- could further distance the volatile region from a badly needed healing touch.
Ultimately, the U.S. and its allies who support a war against Iraq will have to deal with three crucial issues: