Return of the Axis of Evil?

Condoleeza Rice has spoken out on the cartoon furore, and her message is a trifle disconcerting.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni,
Ms Rice said some countries were behaving responsibly with regard to the row but that others "have also used this opportunity to incite violence."

"I don't have any doubt that ... Iran and Syria have gone out of their way to inflame sentiments and to use this to their own purposes. And the world ought to call them on it," she said.

Now, if we recall the days when Condi's husb- spoke of the 'Axis of Evil', Iran along with North Korea and Iraq constituted it. Now that Iraq is part of what one supposes is the Quagmire of Good, one wonders whether the president's dominatrix is sending a message, and if so, to whom? Is it that the Israelis are being given the green light to neutralise Iran's nuclear capacity, or, perhaps, bomb Damascus? Or are the Iranians and Syrians being warned that their turn to receive some shock and awe may be coming? And, of course, how are the Americans going to afford that?