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The Basement
running commentary on middle east policy and news.
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<blockquote data-quote="John Roberts" data-source="post: 49361" data-attributes="member: 126"><p>Re: running commentary on middle east policy and news.</p><p></p><p></p><p>I can't forget it.</p><p></p><p>One long term strategy seems to maintain an ugly status quo and out grow them with population. Israel has a more European birth rate, while the Palestinians have more children per couple, while a cynic might suggest they need more children to replace the suicide bombers. </p><p></p><p>Israel could easily provide gainful employment for much of the Palestinian work force, but whenever Israel relaxes free transit between the territories, bad actors use that access to attack innocent civilians. Since this is counter productive for the welfare of the palestinian people, I can only imagine that this is driven by outside agitators to keep this region hot and disputed. </p><p></p><p>I am always open for data, not so much to unproved conspiracy theories.</p><p></p><p>No, please clarify.</p><p></p><p>Somalia is a largely lawless region, where piracy seems to be the local industry. The US tries to offer some protection to ships in the region, but this is another case of a region that needs economic progress to support a local rule of law. No simple answer, and our magic wand is running out of money to wave over every poor country.</p><p></p><p>Russia and China both vetoed a US proposal in UN Security council.. not sure how we are the bad guys here.. Sen McCain has proposed a no-gly zone over Syria, not unlike what NAto did in Libya, and as we did for years over the Kurdish region in norther Iraq to help the people. With the modern political climate, and leaning, I don't see the current US administration going out on a limb for Syria, and that is too bad. This looks like an opportunity to overthrow another bad leader, who has been linked to manipulating Lebanese politics etc. </p><p></p><p>Can't have it both ways... act in Syria and Somalia, or stay home? </p><p></p><p>I remin optimistic about the fledgling democracy in Iraq. There are millions around the world who were helped by the US support for democracy, while we have not been without our share of mistakes. </p><p></p><p>I don't consider using poison gas on your own people as child's play, but his internal behavior is an internal matter. When he decided to invade Kuwait, just because he could, he crossed a line. He was not a passive player in the region. </p><p></p><p>Is that living? Some don't consider that acceptable, while it is an unfortunate testament to the evils of man, and how far we still have to progress from here. </p><p></p><p>Perhaps we have an overly optimistic view of opposition to oppressive regimes. At one point our founders were criminals from the perspective of our British rulers. As a nation we have led a charmed existence and I don't try to compare our situation to the many examples of far worse modern oppression including genocide going on today (like Darfur). </p><p></p><p>Yes, with simple democracy you need to be careful what you wish for. The brotherhood in Egypt is far from what many hoped for but this was known to observer at the time. </p><p>----- </p><p>This is a damned if you do, damned if you don't choice. Appeasing dictators generally does not end well either, but we do our share of that when it is the easiest path to serve out interests. There is no simple answers for complex problems, and not trying rarely helps anybody. </p><p></p><p>Today? ever? recently... <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9096419/Iran-threatens-pre-emptive-action-against-Israel.html" target="_blank">Iran threatens pre-emptive action against Israel - Telegraph</a> Of course this will be explained away as reactionary. Iran's fingerprints have been found all around the region, while i find the recent attempts by Hamas and Hezbollah to distance themselves from iran as interesting. It may be simply them reading the tea leaves and positioning themselves for a future with a weaker iran. </p><p></p><p>Guilty as charged... As compared to puppet states supported by other national interests. What is your point?</p><p></p><p>Indeed... </p><p></p><p>JR</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="John Roberts, post: 49361, member: 126"] Re: running commentary on middle east policy and news. I can't forget it. One long term strategy seems to maintain an ugly status quo and out grow them with population. Israel has a more European birth rate, while the Palestinians have more children per couple, while a cynic might suggest they need more children to replace the suicide bombers. Israel could easily provide gainful employment for much of the Palestinian work force, but whenever Israel relaxes free transit between the territories, bad actors use that access to attack innocent civilians. Since this is counter productive for the welfare of the palestinian people, I can only imagine that this is driven by outside agitators to keep this region hot and disputed. I am always open for data, not so much to unproved conspiracy theories. No, please clarify. Somalia is a largely lawless region, where piracy seems to be the local industry. The US tries to offer some protection to ships in the region, but this is another case of a region that needs economic progress to support a local rule of law. No simple answer, and our magic wand is running out of money to wave over every poor country. Russia and China both vetoed a US proposal in UN Security council.. not sure how we are the bad guys here.. Sen McCain has proposed a no-gly zone over Syria, not unlike what NAto did in Libya, and as we did for years over the Kurdish region in norther Iraq to help the people. With the modern political climate, and leaning, I don't see the current US administration going out on a limb for Syria, and that is too bad. This looks like an opportunity to overthrow another bad leader, who has been linked to manipulating Lebanese politics etc. Can't have it both ways... act in Syria and Somalia, or stay home? I remin optimistic about the fledgling democracy in Iraq. There are millions around the world who were helped by the US support for democracy, while we have not been without our share of mistakes. I don't consider using poison gas on your own people as child's play, but his internal behavior is an internal matter. When he decided to invade Kuwait, just because he could, he crossed a line. He was not a passive player in the region. Is that living? Some don't consider that acceptable, while it is an unfortunate testament to the evils of man, and how far we still have to progress from here. Perhaps we have an overly optimistic view of opposition to oppressive regimes. At one point our founders were criminals from the perspective of our British rulers. As a nation we have led a charmed existence and I don't try to compare our situation to the many examples of far worse modern oppression including genocide going on today (like Darfur). Yes, with simple democracy you need to be careful what you wish for. The brotherhood in Egypt is far from what many hoped for but this was known to observer at the time. ----- This is a damned if you do, damned if you don't choice. Appeasing dictators generally does not end well either, but we do our share of that when it is the easiest path to serve out interests. There is no simple answers for complex problems, and not trying rarely helps anybody. Today? ever? recently... [url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9096419/Iran-threatens-pre-emptive-action-against-Israel.html]Iran threatens pre-emptive action against Israel - Telegraph[/url] Of course this will be explained away as reactionary. Iran's fingerprints have been found all around the region, while i find the recent attempts by Hamas and Hezbollah to distance themselves from iran as interesting. It may be simply them reading the tea leaves and positioning themselves for a future with a weaker iran. Guilty as charged... As compared to puppet states supported by other national interests. What is your point? Indeed... JR [/QUOTE]
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