Hi David,
 
In reply to your post at http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/feb2005/davidb214-2.htm you do raise a very interesting question as to whether Adel Abdul Mahdi could be the future BEAST, and he certainly bears further watching since he is the leading candidate for Prime Minister for Iraq as mentioned in the article you posted.  He was also the finance minister in the current interim government.
 
Daniel speaks about the King of the North in Daniel 11:15.  If we assume that he is the King of Iraq, you will note that Daniel then says in verse 19 about him. "Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found."  Continuing on in verses 20-21, Daniel then says, "Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come be peacably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."  So isn't it this vile person that becomes the BEAST?
 
God bless,
Donna