Was not referring to freedom of press... quite different, no?

>The answer is very simple, money and US support. The US gives Egypt more then 2 billion dollars a year, therefore the government makes nice to the US and in English sounds moderate. The same with Saudia Arabia, Arafat, etc. They don't want to lose US support so in English for the Western media they try to sound moderate.

Which brings us to the crust. Why would the US give Egypt 2 Billion a year? So that the government of Egypt will "support" US position as and when required. Saudi? Oil contracts, maybe?

>As to why they don't "double speak" among themselves, the answer is simple, it is easy to doublespeak to the US because very few people in the US speak or read Arabic and therefore it is easy to hide from the West. However, their neighbors do understand Arabic and therefore how would you like them to "doublespeak"?

Or perhaps its because the it ain't good to "cross" the only remaining superpower openly? As to how to doublespeak in native language, read any MS PR lately?

Nevertheless, these are just my opinion. Gen Powell has so far proven himself, to me at least, to be a pragmatic and wise leader. YMMV.

I respectfully disagree.

The Gulf War in itself was indeed a success. Kuwait was liberated, by a dedicated coalition, spearheaded by the US, which contributed a lot to the success.

The "failure" came later when the US instead chose to unilaterally dictate the terms that Iraq should comply with.

Witness the tens of thousands of Iraqis who died due to lack of medical supplies etc due to the enforced embargo.

My take. Mission was accomplished. Kuwait was liberated. Military sanctions imposed for a certain number of years.

Whoever is in power in Iraq was not part of the coalition target in the gulf war. Liberation of Kuwait from Iraq's invasion was.

And that was done. Swiftly. Crisply. In and out operation.

So all in all, I would consider it a success.

But I can't understand how a nuclear power can justify preventing other countries trying to acquire nuclear weapon capability. What makes US more justified than any other countries to own nuclear weapons? Serious question. Appreciate a reasonable answer, or your best take... :)

Same goes for antrax and other bio-/chemical capability.