Re: More about the FUTURE...

Hi Gordon,

That was a really good post....

I don't really know what will happen, I don't think anyone really knows.... We all have our hopes for the best and our guesses....

I can see things going in different ways. I think the absolute worst case scenario would be that mis-steps cause destabilization and causes pro-Taliban rulers to arise in several countries. This is why the US government is treading lightly at the moment, because of the very real danger of the destabilization of several currently pro-US governments, particularly in countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. If this happened, the situation would get much worse, rather than better.

I think the best case scenario is that the Taliban are overthrown, probably with the help of the Northern Alliance (who then become the government of Afghanistan). While this won't stop Al-Qaida, it makes it tougher for them. The rest would probably then have to be done through covert intelligence work.

I think we will see more terrorist attacks.... However, terrorist attacks are designed to promote terror. In reality, my guess is that the chance of being harmed in a terrorist attack is probably much less than the chance of having a car accident. But it pays to be cautious....

I think you're absolutely right about strong community. With a strong community, it is much harder for suspicious activities to go on....

Thanks for a good and thought-provoking post, Gordon....

- Dien Rice