In the absence of information conspiracy theories proliferate. It is a golden rule of politics. Add in a close election and you've got the makings of the latest conspiracy theory. Actually, that should read theories, because no-one's quite sure what theory they're backing. Was it the Commies? Was it President Chen himself? Was it the French?

This leads me to a more serious point. The world is in fear of terrorism, regardless of your standpoint on the issue. Al-Queda & company clearly are not stopping until they achieve their aims, however unrealistic they may be. Given they have justified the Madrid bombing partially on what happened more than 500 years ago, this is not a battle of common sense.

In all of this there is one large country that remains conspicuously absent from these Islamists rantings. China. China's repression of all religions is well documented and Islam is no exception, particularly in China's western regions. But I've not seen Osama and crew mention or threaten China at all. If this is a battle between the "Western crusaders" and these fanatics then why exclude China, a nation that has done its fair share of repressing and oppressing? If it's a battle of ideology then surely Communism is just as anathema to these people as liberal democracy?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating these terrorists should focus on China. But it is interesting they deliberately avoid tackling China. Is it because they fear China would not suffer the same moral qualms as the West? Certainly the war on terror would take on a different complexion with China's involvement. No doubt it is a deliberate tactic on the part of Islamic fanatics to pick their battles carefully. It is not an excuse for China to then sit out the war on terror.