Raymond Ibrahim: War and Peace - and Deceit - in Islam - 'Today, in a time of wars and rumors of wars emanating from the Islamic world -- from the current conflict in Gaza, to the saber-rattling of nuclear-armed Pakistan and soon-to-be Iran -- the need for non-Muslims to better understand Islam's doctrines and objectives concerning war and peace, and everything in between (treaties, diplomacy), has become pressing. For instance, what does one make of the fact that, after openly and vociferously making it clear time and time again that its ultimate aspiration is to see Israel annihilated, Hamas also pursues "peace treaties," including various forms of concessions from Israel -- and more puzzling, receives them? Before being in a position to answer such questions, one must first appreciate the thoroughly legalistic nature of mainstream (Sunni) Islam. Amazingly, for all the talk that Islam is constantly being "misunderstood" or "misinterpreted" by "radicals," the fact is, as opposed to most other religions, Islam is a clearly defined faith admitting of no ambiguity...'