[gleeaikin]

You point out that the Russians were influenced by Chess logic. Americans are influenced by football and poker logic. I understand that the big game in Iran is Backgammon. How would this influence their approach to the world??

[mkjessup]

A very interesting question. For those unfamiliar with the game, courtesy of the friendly folks at Wikipedia:

"Backgammon is one of the oldest board games for two players. The playing pieces are moved according to the roll of dice, and players win by removing all of their pieces from the board."

I submit that Iran will, through either bad luck or bad strategy, do the same thing with their nuclear facilities and their military-industrial 'pieces':

End up 'removing them from the board', courtesy of either U.S. and/or Israeli military superiority, i.e. "big boom". ;)

[mkjessup]

As a serious afterthought to your insightful question?

Just as in Backgammon, it seems to me that the Iranian approach to the world is likewise, based on a "throw of the dice".

My expectation is that they will discover at some point (and too late to do much about it) that chess players and poker players will kick their Backgammon-asses six ways from Sunday.

[no-to-illegals]

Contained within the points (mentioned) is the best analogy I’ve ever seen of the regions approach to a given situation. Well done, and compliments!

[SunkenCiv]

And what about the Chinese — how does pingpong and Chinese checkers influence their foreign policy? ;’)