"Iraq is in turmoil and the Americans have vowed to destroy the entire Mahdi army I believe."
"Not threatened - they are proceeding to do so."
"But what other choice do they have?"
"None. I mean we have Bush wanting the entire mess resolved well before election time and then you have Bremer trying to ensure that the Shiite cleric doesn't get any support and of course you have the Sunnis fighting on - I wonder if all these elements can be dismissed as Baathists or pro-Saddam. I mean these are insurrections against an occupying force."
"Yes, bad this. Poodle is running off to his master again and they say that both sides are at pains to tell the press that it was a pre-planned visit but then again one wonders if they will talk of anything but Iraq."
"I guess. But Kerry must be watching all these visits. If he wins I do wonder what will happen to these rather close US-UK relations?"
"I would take exception to Blair the Poodle if I were Kerry. I mean inviting Bush for a visit with the Queen to promote his election bid seems unfair to me - an interference almost in the political process of another state."
"Americans don't mind that. After all Israel also donates a lot of money to their political process - to both Republicans and Democrats I believe. But you know they have so far invested more in the Democrats but that may change."
"And what about our Arab brothers?"
"Our Arab brothers have not been spending their money too politically - but that may change. I mean surely they must realise that lobbying in the US, contributing to the party fund and all is necessary to get what they want."
"But Israel is still way ahead - they know how to manipulate the Western media as well."
"Maybe the Arabs will learn about that too - in time."
"Well, our Musharraf certainly has. After much hype and then undertaking a failed mission in tribal areas to catch the al-Qaeda bigwigs Musharraf has laid the blame squarely on the US. He says now that Iraq is undermining the battle against al-Qaeda."
"Precisely. But shouldn't he blame the Americans who are not doing enough to help him win their war, and on the contrary..."
"Especially after yesterday's threats to us by the US envoy in Afghanistan - remember! If Pakistan will not catch them we will he is supposed to have said."
"Bad form that."
"Not politic at all. But then Americans are no longer politic - they don't need to be."
"Hey, he apologised a bit - said his remarks were misunderstood."
"That is an apology for an American."