Who knew?

AP/NY Times:

British Prime Minister Tony Blair wrapped up a Middle East tour Wednesday with a blunt speech warning that the world faces a monumental struggle between moderates and extremists -- and labeling Iran the main obstacle to hopes for peace.

In an address to business leaders and journalists in Dubai, Blair said combating extremism and the violence it foments was the greatest challenge of the 21st century. He said the lesson he had drawn from his five-day Mideast trip was ''startlingly real, clear and menacing.''

''There is a monumental struggle going on worldwide between those who believe in democracy and moderation, and forces of reaction and extremism,'' Blair said.

''We have to wake up. These forces of extremism -- based on a warped and wrongheaded misinterpretation of Islam -- aren't fighting a conventional war. But they are fighting one, against us -- and us is not just the West, still less simply America and its allies,'' Blair said.

''We must therefore mobilize our alliance of moderation in the region and outside of it to defeat the extremists.''

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It is always interesting when the blazingly obvious is still considered news.