The past few days have been burdened with messages, from Washington to Tehran via London and Paris. In a world with wide-open doors, elections are no longer a local matter. The importance increases when the results affect the future of economies, policies and arsenals.

I avoid visiting the headquarters of the Arab League despite the bonds of friendship that have tied me to its successive leaders during the current century. The journalist is a heavy guest, given his profession.

Once upon a time, a man named Saddam Hussein took a pivotal and dangerous decision. He ordered his forces to invade Kuwait and he headed to Basra to oversee the operations. Throughout that day, he did not reply to messages that urged him against hurtling toward the abyss.