"Yujri?"

Vyhousky dropped fifty-cent pieces in the pot.

"Since Husan took over after Mubarak's resignation," said Schiller,

"he's achieved a level of stability.  I he'll holdon ' . 'You said the

same about the Shah of Iran," Korolenko goaded.

"No denying we  called  the  wrong  shots."  Schffler  paused and

dropped his throwaway cards on the table.  "Let me have two."

Korolenko held up one finger and received his card.  "You might as well

pour your massive aid into a bottomless pit.  The Egyptian masses are on

the brink of starvation.  A situation that fuels the surge of religious

fanaticism sweeping the slums and villages.  You stand as little chance

of stopping Yazid as you did Khomeini."

"And what is the Kremlin's stance?" asked Senator Pitt.

"We wait," said Korolenko impassively.  "We wait until the dust

settles."

Schiller eyed his cards and shifted them around.  "No matter the

outcome, nobody wills."

"True, we all lose.  You may be the great Satan in the eyes of Islamic

fundamentalists, but as good Communist atheists we're not loved either.

I don't have to tell you the biggest loser is Israel.  With the

disastrous defeat of Iraq by Iran and the assassination of President

Saddam Husayn, the road is now open for him and Syria to threaten the

moderate Arab nations into combining forces for a massive three-front

attack against Israel.  The Jews will surely be defeated this time."

The Senator shook his head doubtfully.  "The Israelis have the finest

fighting machine in the Middle East.  They've won before, and they're

prepared to do it again."

"Not against 'human wave' attacks by nearly two million Arabs," warned

Vyhousky.  "Assad's forces will drive south while Yazid's Egyptians

attack north across the Sinai, as they did in 'sixty-seven and

'seventy-three.  Only this time h-an's army will sweep over Saudi Arabia

and Jordan, crossing the River Jordan from the West.  Despite their

fighting skills and superior technology, the Israelis will be

overwhelmed."

"And when the slaughter finally ends," added Korolenko ominously, "the

West will be thrown into a state of economic depression when the united

Muslim governments, with total control of fifty-five percent of the

world's oil reserves, drive prices to astronomical heights.  As they

surely will."

"Your bet," Nichols said to Schiller.

"Two bucks."

"Raise you two," came Korolenko.

Vyhousky threw his cards on the table.  "I fold."

The Senator contemplated his hand a moment.  "I'll match the four and

raise another four."

"The sharks are circling," said Nichols with a tight smile. "Count me

out."

"Let's not kid ourselves," said the Senator.  "It's no secret the

Israelis have a small arsenal of nuclear weapons, and they won't

hesitate to use them if they're down to the last roll of the dice."

Schiller sighed deeply.  "I don't even like to think about the

consequences." He looked up as his boat's skipper knocked on the door

and hesitantly stepped in.

"Excuse me for interrupting, Mr. Schiller, but there's an important call

for you."