I have been following various opinions on Tariq Fateh's book, Chasing A Mirage– The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State, very keenly and right from the very outset. I have not read the book at all, and, hence, have no opinion on its contents. But, I am in agreement with the message contained in its title if it is truly reflective of the contents.
I only wish to express myself on the above issues which have found their way into the main discussion. Also, I may admit that I agree with most of JIC's opinions on conspiracy theory,nine-eleven and the current war on terrorism. My present opinions are based on my knowledge at present of these matters and I am willing to amend or change them if convinced with fresh and credible information.

If I really want to establish an Islamic State, which is a monumental task, I would rather start on a much smaller scale like an Islamic neighbourhood and then move in progression to an Islamic township, Islamic city or mega city and perhaps only then to an Islamic State or Islamic Planet. I would be well advised to climb the ladder step by step. But, then, which of the more or less seventy-two ladders is to be used. Also, before embarking on such a mission I would like to know for sure as to why this could not be achieved during the last one thousand four hundred years.

We are largely focused on religious terrorism in our times without paying equal attention to commercial terrorism, political terrorism and social terrorism. There is an undeniable link. In fact, I feel that religious terrorism in its present context has been created and nurtured to divert the attention of the world from other terrorisms that I just mentioned so that they can help those other kinds of terrorists achieve their objectives in faster and easier ways.

Conspiracy is not just a theory any more. Its existence is evident from various aspects of today's global happenings in the context of vision, objectives, planning, tools, execution of plans during the past one hundred years or so.

"When Iraq becomes strong enough in our opinion to stand alone, we shall be in a position to state that our task has been fulfilled, and that Iraq is an independent sovereign state. But this cannot be said while we are forced year after year to spend very large sums of money on helping the Iraqi government to defend itself and maintain order."

This is not a quote from Bush's recent speeches or statements on Iraq in 2008. It is, in fact, an extract from a letter written by Winston Churchill in 1922,i.e.,86 years ago. There was no Islamic terrorism and no Ben laden to be used as a pretext at the time.

But obviously there was a reason for the British to be there. Same reason that the Americans have today. It is oil, the Iraqi oil which can now have a free flow to Haifa through a pipeline which Iraq had stopped in 1948. This is why Iraq has been going through one regime change after another imposed by the oil thirsty west specially Britain, France and the USA since 1958.

Zamin Jafari