Crispinus says:
"Here, in an op-ed piece for the WSJ, eminent Mideast Scholar Bernard Lewis suggests Iranian President Ahmadinejad might have a belligerent response in mind for Aug 22 of this year, the date he has chosen for giving his final answer to the U.S. about nuclear development. Lewis wonders whether the answer might be an nuclear attack or some other apocalyptic gesture, since the date corresponds with an Islamic holy day.
"Maybe you should let BB readers know, as a public service.
"What's also interesting here is that the web and the blogosphere (right and left) have been all over this notion for some time — just Google 'August 22, 2006' with 'Iran' and see for yourself — and the notion has been marginalized for being considered in electronic media. But now that the WSJ gets involved the story gains steam."
What is the significance of Aug. 22? This year, Aug. 22 corresponds, in the Islamic calendar, to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to "the farthest mosque," usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind.
A passage from the Ayatollah Khomeini, quoted in an 11th-grade Iranian schoolbook, is revealing. "I am decisively announcing to the whole world that if the world-devourers [i.e., the infidel powers] wish to stand against our religion, we will stand against their whole world and will not cease until the annihilation of all them. Either we all become free, or we will go to the greater freedom which is martyrdom. Either we shake one another's hands in joy at the victory of Islam in the world, or all of us will turn to eternal life and martyrdom. In both cases, victory and success are ours."
In this context, mutual assured destruction, the deterrent that worked so well during the Cold War, would have no meaning. At the end of time, there will be general destruction anyway. What will matter will be the final destination of the dead–hell for the infidels, and heaven for the believers. For people with this mindset, MAD is not a constraint; it is an inducement.
