The Middle East should take a leaf from Asean's book

"IF you want to start a third world war, just call CNN and do something crazy like a belly dance or something here!" said our erudite guide, as I stood surveying one of the most historic and probably one of the most politically sensitive spots in the world.

This was Jerusalem, the old city, where my family and I stood on a hot July day in front of Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock to Muslims).

The scorching Mediterranean sun reflected off the muzzle of the gun held by the soldier guarding what must be the most religious site on earth: you had the Wailing Wall, which is the only remains of the original Temple of Solomon - where once the Ark of Covenant was kept and the same spot where Abraham almost sacrificed his son Issac, making this the holiest spot in the world for Jews; just a stone's throw away is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site believed by some Christians to be where Christ was crucified.