Ramesh: I think I misrepresented you actually, in saying “your notion that

we must transform the politics of the ME because its oil is such a vital

component of the world economy.” I am sure that while that is one factor in

your thinking, the War on Terror is in there, too. Be that as it may, I

think we have been round the circle on this one, and can leave it for

readers to weigh our posts for themselves.

SoSec reform wasn’t raised on the Brian Lamb show — which of course is what

always happens when you take pains to cram up on something expecting it to

come up — remember college exams? I still say your NR piece is the best

briefing on the subject, though — the only piece of any length, in fact,

that I have read all through…