A coalition against terrorism

A coalition is currently being forged which is supposed to put the fight against terror on a broad basis.

China is in the boat. Russia is going along with it too. The countries of the Mideast and the Indian subcontinent are in shock and, for now, are playing along.

This colorful coalition will soon be tested. The Taliban have threatened all their neighbors will retaliation.

Who knows what they have in their hands? Russian weapons of mass destruction? It can't be ruled out.

Connections with Western Chinese Muslims? Certainly. Allies in Pakistan? Of course.

Which is to say: This war isn't a second Somalia, this is about more, much more.

The longer America's campaign lasts, the more certain it is that Osama bin Laden will try to represent it as a war against Islam. Attacks against America's oil suppliers will follow.

This isn't an argument against Bush's strategy. It's an argument for setting out clearly what might happen now.

-- Die Welt, Berlin