Montreal, Quebec -- The Middle East is a long way from the mythical "Middle Earth" of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" series -- but some fans see many similarities between the two.

That's according to Michael Regina, co-editor-in-chief of the "Lord of the Rings" fan site, theonering.net.

He says a lot of American fans see similarities between the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Frodo Baggins' quest to destroy the evil ring of power and take down the feared tyrant Sauron.

However, many non-American Tolkien fans say the opposite: That George W. Bush is like Sauron, invading foreign lands and stomping over innocent victims in his attempt to take over the world.

Regina doesn't take a stand either way on the comparisons, preferring to enjoy the stories for what they are: Fantasy.

Still, he does admit it's an eerie coincidence that Saddam Hussein was captured the same week that moviegoers finally get to see Sauron get his comeuppance in the movie that concludes director Peter Jackson's version of "Rings" series, "The Return of the King."

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