Mid-East faces uncertain future
By Roger Hardy
BBC Middle East Analyst
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Will it make it easier or harder to resolve the pressing problems of Palestine and Iraq - and the much bigger battle against Islamic extremism?
The more immediate question is: Who will emerge with what?
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, says he wants three things: to secure the release of Israeli soldiers, to clear Hezbollah fighters from south Lebanon and to see Hezbollah disarmed and dismantled.
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Israel may be able to weaken Hamas and Hezbollah in military terms, but it is unlikely to force them out of business.
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan have taken the unusual step of pinning the blame for the conflict on Hezbollah and Hamas and their regional backers, Syria and Iran.
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As Arab rulers are only too well aware, the current conflict has inflamed anti-Israeli and anti-American feeling to a new pitch.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5204346.stm