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U.S. presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani (AP) Some U.S. candidates warn: The real danger is Pakistan, not Iran By Shmuel Rosner, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Joe Biden, Pakistan, U.S.  RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE: Pakistan upheaval brings 'Mr Terror' Giuliani back to center stage. The launch of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign video on Thursday came at a perfect timing. "The Islamic terrorists would make a terrible mistake if they confuse our democracy for weakness," he says in it. Giuliani was in trouble - until Thursday, at least. Since his chances of winning in the first two states to vote - Iowa and New Hampshire - are scant, Giuliani was pushed from center stage; his apparent advantage in national polls seemed to wither away. But the New York candidate - best remembered as "Mr. Terror" - is back in the spotlight. Giuliani hopes Americans will put their trust in him as long as they remember terror is their biggest concern. At the same time, however, the number of Americans who believe President Bush "is successfully leading the campaign against terror" is consistently in decline: 53 percent in the beginning of 2006, 46 percent in the beginning of 2007 and only 40 percent today. On the other hand, the number of American citizens who are concerned about another terror attack on American soil is at a relative ebb. Before the 2004 ballot 17 percent of voters thought such an attack was "very likely," as opposed to just 9 percent today. The events in Pakistan may remind them that the world is still a very dangerous place, and bring Giuliani back to the helm. Pakistan had already appeared on the election agenda at some point. The Democrat candidate Barack Obama raised hell when he said during a debate that "if we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will." This was a very hawkish statement coming from a generally dovish candidate; Hillary Clinton, for example, called him irresponsible. But the debate that ensued around U.S. policy toward Pakistan showed that beyond rhetorical differences there is very little alternative to the Bush agenda at hand. Even those who are not Bush's downright critics argue that the preoccupation with Iraq led to a disastrous neglect of Pakistan. Advertisement Politically, it was interesting to see the condemning message that was issued by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg - Giuliani's successor, who is toying with the idea of running for president as an independent candidate. It was indeed on behalf of "10,000 Pakistani residents in New York," but Bloomberg nonetheless voiced his opinion about an issue that he normally overlooks. Two others who managed to attract some attention, which they are in desperate need of, are the hopeless but veteran Democratic candidates Chris Dodd and Joe Biden. This was a golden opportunity for both to repeat things that Biden has emphasized recently, which do not correspond with Israel's priorities: with respect to the Iranian nuclear program, Pakistan is a much more burning problem. "The fact of the matter is that the Iranians may get 2.6 kg of highly-enriched uranium, but the Pakistanis have hundreds -- thousands of kilograms of highly-enriched uranium," he said in a debate among Democrats in Philadelphia a while ago. If by attacking Iran, the government in Pakistan falls, then that's a bad bargain, he explained. Senator Biden, the chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, added that these are "complicated matters;" in other words, nothing worthy of dominating the public debate on the eve of the elections. Only those who bother reading his meticulously researched position papers would infer that a radical and nuclear Pakistan is the "growing security threat" feared by Iran, which strives to develop its own nuclear arsenal. The U.S., Biden insists, needs a comprehensive policy toward Pakistan that goes beyond keeping Musharraf in place. But, "complicated matters" and long position papers are not popular among Iowa voters. Therefore, following Bhutto's assassination, the candidates opted for predictable, middle-of-the-road statements. Each candidate addressed his usual audience: the Republicans focused on "forces of moderation are arrayed in a fierce battle against those who embrace violent Islamic extremism", as the Republican candidate John McCain put it. The Democrats, who usually refrain from easily associating the words "terror" and "extremism" to Islam - whether for reasons of political correctness or just trying to avoid turning the conflict to a religious one - merely denounced the "terrorists who threaten world peace," as Obama put it. Related articles: Pakistan says Al-Qaida behind assassination of Benazir Bhutto At least 15 dead in Pakistan unrest in wake of Benazir Bhutto assassination The extremists will not prevail Musharraf calls strike on Bhutto convoy 'plot against democracy' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Pre-Iowa Israel Factor The panel is certain that Clinton is the better Democratic candidate for Israel. The Jewish connection Jeremy Goldberg works to connect Barack Obama with Jewish voters.   1.   Pakistan vs Iran 21:16  |  Ed Sacks 28/12/07   2.   Giuliani has nothing to offer 21:40  |  Greg 28/12/07   3.   Iran 22:10  |  Peter 28/12/07   4.   Iran versus Pakistan 22:14  |  Frank 28/12/07   5.   Islam Is The Real Problem! 22:39  |  Bill Foonman 28/12/07   6.   Rudy the American Bibi 22:47  |  avramele 28/12/07   7.   Pakistans Enemy....... is.... Pakistan..!! 23:03  |  Stephen. 28/12/07   8.   Well that is not good for Israel 23:05  |  Chris Linthwaite 28/12/07   9.   Radical Islam is the Danger Not a Country 23:41  |  Jane 28/12/07   10.   US must dump Pakistan, they are no ally; should align with India. 23:51  |  Dr. L. Brnd 28/12/07   11.   Pakistan 23:57  |  P. J. Casey 28/12/07   12.   `both/and,` boobies, not `either/or.` 00:13  |  frenz 29/12/07   13.   Not surprising 00:16  |  Chris Linthwaite 29/12/07   14.   Take the nukes 00:53  |  Fred Locke 29/12/07   15.   Pakistan has nukes for sure, Iran only a maybe 01:47  |  Adi 29/12/07   16.   #14 Fred Locke 01:54  |  Chris Linthwaite 29/12/07   17.   Newsflash: Americans don`t care about Pakistan 02:09  |  Steve 29/12/07   18.   Dr. Ron Paul is the man 02:22  |  Atoo Landarv 29/12/07   19.   isolationism 02:34  |  margaret 29/12/07   20.   Atoo re Ron Paul 02:40  |  margaret 29/12/07   21.   #17 Steve 02:56  |  Chris Linthwaite 29/12/07   22.   Pakistan Iran 03:37  |  jason 29/12/07   23.   Ron Paul is the Answer 03:38  |  POP 29/12/07   24.   #5, BILL FOONMAN 03:42  |  VIPER 29/12/07   25.   Say Dr. Brnd 04:18  |  ballistic 29/12/07   26.   #14 Well, sure Fred Locke 04:22  |  ballistic 29/12/07   27.   Iran is Fine, But without the Mullahs, Free Iran is Beautiful! 04:25  |  soto 29/12/07   28.   #5 Say Bill 04:25  |  ballistic 29/12/07   29.   Hi Chris 04:29  |  ballistic 29/12/07   30.   22-Jason 06:08  |  Steve 29/12/07   31.   Giuliani was a drag queen and supports homosexuals 14:17  |  redmike 29/12/07   32.   Imagine " Liberating" Kashmir by nuclear armed Lakshr i toyba 14:57  |  PETER SM 29/12/07   33.   "Radical Islam" is nourished by American and Israeli actions 15:02  |  Natallie Durson 29/12/07   34.   Candidate got it wrong 15:04  |  Brod 29/12/07   35.   LINTHWAITE Brit. Moslem terrorists trained in Pakistan tokill YOU 15:08  |  PETER SM 29/12/07   36.   Reflecting on what makes Iran and Pakistan different dangers. 16:59  |  Fortuna Benmayor 29/12/07   37.   To Edd Sacks 18:29  |  Civilised 29/12/07   38.   To Bill Foon Twisted Doctrine 18:34  |  Ahmed 29/12/07   39.   #26 ballistic - I know 18:54  |  Fred Locke 29/12/07   40.   American Candidate sound more American when... 18:59  |  ManintheMiddle 29/12/07   41.   # 28 Makaka, get back to cotton and banana picking... 19:00  |  Misha 29/12/07   42.   Some U.S. candidates warn: The real danger is Pakistan, not Iran 22:27  |  steve 29/12/07   43.   #18 & 23 -- Re: Ron Paul 01:48  |  MichaeF 30/12/07   44.   #40 - ManintheMiddle 01:51  |  MichaelF 30/12/07   45.   Unsafe US 02:17  |  Joseph 30/12/07   46.   Indigestible mess 04:13  |  amazed american 30/12/07   47.   German not at all amazed @ 46 15:52  |  Karl 31/12/07

Today Online Amos Harel: Israel is not the only one exercising restraint Responses: 24 Ramon: Crackdown on outposts likely to start after Bush visit Responses: 19 Wiesenthal Center calls on UN to focus on suicide bombings Responses: 24 Editorial: The IDF is an army that has ceased to function as an army Responses: 18 Rosner: Turning the Green Line red, one settlement at a time Responses: 10 Rosner's Domain Iowa caucus: Here come the tribal leaders The green line is turning red Guest: Is it important for American Jews to learn Hebrew? Obama, Huckabee widen leads in Iowa, but anything could happen WTR Des Moines edition: If McCain goes up, down goes Giuliani More Headlines 11:16 IDF troops kill two Hamas militants in northern Gaza 09:10 Ramon: Crackdown on outposts likely to start after Bush visit 12:21 Obama, Huckabee head to New Hampshire after big wins in Iowa 09:07 Wiesenthal Center calls on UN to formally address suicide attacks 09:31 Barak considers calling for early elections by end of 2008 04:02 Ashkelon decides against activating rocket alarm system 06:24 Analysis: Katyusha in Ashkelon / The other side is cautious too 06:37 PA forces uncover Hamas explosives lab in Nablus 09:53 Swimmers protest destruction of Tel Aviv's Gordon swimming pool 08:37 British scientist toys with theory of a Jewish 'gene' for genetics Previous Editions Select Day 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec

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