August 22nd

When Iran said that it would respond to the US nuclear offer on August 22nd, many analysts were puzzled as to why he chose precisely that date. Now it is becoming more clear. Bernard Lewis, in today's Wall Street Journal op/ed page (subscription required) explains the importance of that date.

This year, Aug. 22 corresponds, in the Islamic calendar, to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to "the farthest mosque," usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind.

If it isn't clear yet, it should be becoming clearer that we are not dealing with a rational leader. Mutual Assured Destruction, the threat of total annihilation of all that was enough to keep the US and Soviet Union from going to war, will not work against madmen intent on bringing on the end of days. Until we acknowledge who we are up against - who our enemy is and what they are capable of - we will never be able to confront them.