The 60th anniversary of Israels founding has understandably focused much of the attention of Middle Eastern analysts on this old and familiar problem. But if they think this remains the prime security issue for the region, they may be looking in the wrong direction.

"The only way that Pakistan is going to be able to fight terrorism effectively is to have a legitimate, democratically-elected, secular government that can rally the Pakistani people to engage al-Qaida, the Taliban, and other extremist movements." These were the words of Bruce Riedel, a regional expert who served in both the Bush senior and Clinton administrations, last December.

A combination of apparently unrelated events this week have confirmed the writing is on the wall for Americas long-term military commitment in Iraq.

It is probably very difficult, maybe even quite impossible, for the majority of us mere mortals to fully understand the sheer pressure imposed on politicians as they campaign for an election, let alone the strain on the candidates and their staff when running for the job of most powerful man on earth, a job which might very well go to a woman at the next U.S. election.

Most of us who use computers receive hundreds of unsolicited emails every day, some promising instant wealth and fortune in exchange for our banking details; others guarantee us heavenly pleasures on earth for a handful of dollars. But every so often along comes a real gem, as was the case last week when a good friend – and for the record, a Republican – had the good sense to forward a short video clip made by a friend of his. The video is titled "How to be a real terrorist!" And of course it grabbed my attention. The clip shows a middle-aged American talking straight into the camera with something of a very soft southern drawl. Heres what he says:

Europeans should take seriously the warning this week against seeking to impose restrictions on Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) investments. It came from Sultan bin Sulayem, the head of Dubai World and follows a similar warning by the Kuwait Investment Authority against the European Union proposal for an SWF code of conduct.

Peacemaking in the Middle East is frustrating to say the least. Ideal for those seeking lifelong employment, it is usually a heartbreaker for results-oriented types. Yet perhaps frustration with the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has prompted the feelers currently being put out between Israel and Syria.

There is some entertainment value when former government officials fall out with each other, and this is now happening to President George W. Bush and former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

He was the Eight of Spades on the Pentagons playing cards list of the 55 most-wanted men of Saddams regime. Tariq Aziz, the public face of Saddam Husseins dictatorial clique, goes on trial today in Baghdad, accused for his participation, yet to be proven however, in the execution of 42 merchants in 1992.

Syrian Ambassador to Washington Imad Mustapha spoke last Friday with reporters for more than an hour about the nature of the target of Israels Sept. 6, 2007 airborne attack on what the United States and Israel say was a nuclear processing facility being built with the help of the north Koreans.