In an excellent commentary on the situation in Iraq, Brendan O'Neill notes that the absence of any discernable political ideology guiding the suicide bombers and their predilection for attacking their own citizenry means that their actions are beyond the expected, understood and "usual" parameters. Arguing that Iraq requires new thinking and analysis, he nonetheless cautions thatthe insurgency more mainstream than some would like to admit. Across the West, and in many other parts of the world, the media have filled the gap left by the decline of politics and public debate. Today, politicians and various ‘new social movements’ seem more interested in executing media stunts, in an attempt to get their message across or improve their image, rather than in winning real mass support for their agenda.
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