The Political Conundrum!

As shown by world networks, the hellish flames ravaging the Mariott Hotel in Islamabad seemed like a vision of the Apocalypse. That's at least how many survivors of the Terror attack that massacred more than 60 and wounded hundreds have described it: "The end of the World." But beyond the barbaric bloodshed and the human suffering ensuing, the heavy question fuses fast: How to read this Jihadi mayhem and what is the message behind the bombing?

When a war is raging, as is the case in Pakistan for the last years, analysts won't wait on the procedural investigation to determine the identity of the perpetrators of this attack. Local police and security forces will get somewhere sometime. The graver question is about the big picture. What is al Qaeda and their Taliban herds up to, by terrorizing the people and Government of the second largest Muslim country in the world and -more important- the first Islamic nation to possess nuclear weapons? According to many Pakistani sources commenting to media after the explosion, including Lt General Talaat Massud the Terror attack has a "loud and clear message." He asserted that those behind the operation "wants to tell the Pakistani Government to stop sending the Army into their (Taliban) areas and to oppose any intervention (against al Qaeda) inside Pakistan by the United States." Massud comments, aired on BBC were firm: "This is a mega explosion and it needs mega decisions in the country, more will come."

In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "In the long term, Americans can have reason to be confident in our economic strength. America has the most talented, productive, and entrepreneurial workers in the world. This country is the best place in the world to invest and do business. And as we've seen repeatedly over the past eight years, we have a flexible and resilient system that absorbs challenges, makes corrections, and bounces back."

In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "In the long term, Americans can have reason to be confident in our economic strength. America has the most talented, productive, and entrepreneurial workers in the world. This country is the best place in the world to invest and do business. And as we've seen repeatedly over the past eight years, we have a flexible and resilient system that absorbs challenges, makes corrections, and bounces back."

A Russian navy squadron set off for Venezuela today, an official said, in a deployment of Russian military power to the Western Hemisphere unprecedented since the Cold War.

An 18-year-old Soldier from Westmoreland County is in custody at Fort Hood, Texas, charged in the killing of a well-known former businessman in Ligonier.

Lockheed Martin and the Air Force on Friday took the unusual step of publicly defending a $300 billion fighter jet program from recent criticisms of the plane's capabilities, including reports that it performed poorly in a simulated fight with a Russian aircraft.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said at the conclusion of a NATO meeting he notified the allies that they will be expected to share the cost of a planned expansion of the Afghan national army.

The Pentagon shifted a senior member of the Guantanamo war-crimes trials to another position Friday after defense lawyers, human rights groups and even military colleagues accused him of misconduct in his role as legal adviser.

A California congressional delegation asked President Bush on Friday to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to a Marine who was chosen to receive only the second-highest medal the Navy can bestow for valor.