An Islamic State straddling Iraq and Syria would destabilise the whole Arab world and be a base for exporting terrorism not just in the Middle East but throughout Europe and the United States. Furthermore, it would accelerate the radicalisation of a small but dangerous number of Muslims throughout the world. It is not inconceivable that Iran, one day, will be closer to the United States and to the West. That is not just because the Shah was a close ally. It is because Turkey, Iran and, of course, Israel are the real serious players in the Middle East. Egypt should be, Saudi Arabia and some others aspire to be but they have not had the political power or weight to enable them to succeed.