When the fruit-sellers in the market in Tel Aviv shout 'The boss has gone crazy!' they mean that they are selling their merchandise at ridiculously low prices. In the world's capitals, a similar cry is now being heard, but it is not about the price of oranges. It refers to the situation now that George W. Bush has been re-elected. Bush has attacked Afghanistan. He has attacked Iraq. His neo-con handlers want to attack Syria and Iran in the next phase. They want to establish subservient regimes everywhere ('promoting democracy in the Middle East'), station permanent garrisons in the region, control the world's oil market, and help Ariel Sharon to fulfil his plans.

LRB 6 January 2005 | PDF Download