The Middle East: Complicated, Dangerous

JERUSALEM - For years, Iran has stood as the greatest threat to peace in the Middle East. Now, however, the Middle East is getting more complicated and it is also more dangerous.

Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and development of ballistic missiles could pose a lethal combination to the state of Israel.

Russia's recent invasion of Georgia adds a new wrinkle to the picture.

Many analysts see this military move as a sign Russia again wants to be a major player in the region. It is also flexing its muscles with arms sales to Israel's enemies, Syria and Iran.

Political Turmoil

Israel's situation isn't helped by its current political turmoil. Prime minister Ehud Olmert has resigned and oversees a caretaker government, while foreign minister Tzippi Livni tries to put a new government together.

As the U.S. presidential campaign progresses, it's uncertain what - if anything - Israel and or the U.S. will do about Iran's race to a nuclear bomb.

But for years, Israeli leaders have said that Iran threatens not just Israel, but the world.

Dr. Yuval Steinitz is a member of Israel's Knesset.

"They are interested in being able to blackmail the United States and Europe by directing nuclear missiles to cities in Europe and the United States," Dr. Steinitz told CBN News.

"They are interested to export the Iranian revolution and to hege monies first the Middle East and then the entire world and therefore it is not our problem it is also our problem," he said, "but it is a global threat."