This is probably an entirely inappropriate thing to say, what with the prospects of peace in the Middle East having been set back years by the assassination by Israel of Sheik Ahmed Yassin, but...

Every time I see a picture of Sheik Ahmed Yassin, I can't help but think that he looks like Saruman. Of course, he wasn't Saruman, and even the rather gung-ho fellowship didn't assassinate Saruman.

On a more serious point, it's hard not to believe that, once again, Sharon is determined to avoid peace. If there's one thing that the Israel-Palestinian war has taught us, it's that escalating attacks don't bring about peace.