Pakistan, India, Iran and Israel

NUKE NATION ON THE BRINK screams the web site on United States television channel Fox News following the assassination of Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. That must be the spin from the White House. The Bush administration is facing up to the prospect of democracy being scattered to the winds in thie volatile region and Pakistan's nuclear capability falling into the hands of extreme fundamentalists. Free elections have been scheduled in Pakistan early in January but if they don't like the outcome, the generals might grab power.

India has much to fear. With Kashmir's status in doubt, India and Pakistan squaring up to each other in the Himalayas with each side bristling with nuclear weapons could result in a war in which the consequences could be appalling. In turn, this could spell trouble in Britain with the Asian communities whipped up into boiling point.

And if Pakistan becomes a rogue state, its co-operation with Iran will become a real worry. Pakistan possesses not just nuclear capability, crucially it has delivery systems, which the Iranians do not. Giving Iran the capability would put Israel in huge danger, and the peace of the world shattered.

Happy New Year.