I just wish that debate between Sharon and Rabin from MacNeill Lehrer was available as a Real video clip -

There is a difference between Israel's survival and expansion. If Israel continues to expand, its survival will be threatened. I agree with Rabin's analysis almost 100%.

What you've got to understand is that anyone that has been around proliferation issues for a while becomes accutely aware of the demand side of the equation. One way or another the technologies of weapons of mass destruction will become available, if there's a demand. And not only will there be demand if there is no peace agreeement, they will be used.

The loss of life will be staggering, and the possibility exists of at least a wider regional exchange.

In the meantime, there are other foreign policy issues critical to the US, but the US will spend all its effort just dealing with this issue. The US will become more and more isolated both diplomatically and financially.

Finally, despite all the jazz about the collapse of the speculative t-com bubble, and the criminal bookeeping, the effects of both consumer uncertainty and the Moslem boycott are what are driving US markets down right now - and this is going to continue as long this issue festers.

The Israeli/Palestinian conflict is the major issue right now, though many try to avoid it or to try to divert attention from the fundamentals of it.

ep