As expected elections in Egypt are going the way of Islamists. In early results the Muslim Brotherhood has about 30% of votes but the hardline Salafists are said to have received 20% of ballots cast so far. Members of this group were held responsible for the killing of 10 Coptic Christians a few weeks earlier. Israel must be feeling particularly vulnerable as it sees its peace treaty with Egypt becoming redundant. On the other hand Israel will be pleased with the situation in Syria as civil war seems to be getting likelier by the day. If the Assad regime falls and Sunnis gain power it is unlikely to be as close to Iran as the Alawites and arms supplies to Hezbollah, an especially venomous enemy in Lebanon, may dry up. The situation with Iran is very interesting. Following a report by the IAEA saying that Iran is capable of a nuclear weapon US and UK announced increased sanctions. The British embassy in Teheran was trashed by a mob which gave Britain an opportunity to expel the Iranian ambassador in London. Other European countries are taking similar diplomatic measures. Whether this is a last ditch attempt to preempt an attack by Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities, thereby drawing in the US and Britain, or clearing the way for an air attack we do not know. Turkey has suddenly become a key player in this game. Turkish Prime Minister, Erdogan, a cunning Islamist, had good relations with Iran and Assad but has become the most vocal critic of Assad. Turkey does not want a civil war in Syria with thousands of refugees pouring across the border but is risking its relations with Iran. The middle east is motivated by hatred. So which hatred is stronger?