Still, many will feel that Ms Hirsi Ali has the right to express strong feelings on these matters.

ECONOMIST: No time for tradition

Then befuddlement gives way to a slo-mo realization that the man actually has a life, along with strong feelings about losing it.

WSJ: 'Tsotsi' Is Transformed by Actor's Stunning Debut

He has to contend with the strong if woolly pro-Serb feelings of most Greeks.

ECONOMIST: George Papandreou, flouting Greek tradition

This in turn could trigger anti-American feelings in Turkey strong enough to leave Ankara feeling that it has no choice but to retaliate.

ECONOMIST: Relations are growing frosty again