I think Ken's reaction to Wallerstein is generally in the right direction. The paper tiger allusion makes no sense (if you don't think that the Wall Street Masters of the Universe are capable of defending themselves when attacked, think again, or, better yet, ask any experienced American trade unionist). I would add that while I agree that bin Laden looks forward to drawing the U.S. in, the U.S. looks forward to an opportunity to "draw a line in the sand" with a range of Arab regimes - thsu, the "if you are not with us you are against us" rhetoric. That could allow them, in their eyes, to redraw the structure of north Africa, the mideast and Central Asia politics. The question, it seems to me, for the left is whether we can find ways to check the advance of the U.S. (and its newfound allies all over the world) while also offering the Arab masses an alternative to the bin Laden's or Prince Bandar's of the world. Stephen F. Diamond School of Law Santa Clara University [EMAIL PROTECTED]
