Across the Arab World

[Gawain 0]

Where President Bush is getting it right. A couple of introductions to articles in Newsweek and Time magazines have encapsulated my thoughts almost perfectly:

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By Fareed Zakaria (Newsweek) -- Evernts in the Middle East over the past few weeks have confirmed the theories of that great scholar of the region, Thomas (Tip) O'Neill. THe late speaker of the House's most memorable aphorism was "All politics is local." It's true even of the politics of rage. As long-repressed societies in the Middle East open up, we are discovering that their core concerns are not global but local. Most ordinary Arabs, it turns out, are not consumed by grand theories about the clash between Islam and the West, or the imperialism of American culture, or even the Palestinian cause. When you let the Lebanese speak, they want to talk about Syira's occupation of their country. When Iraqis got a chance to congregate, they voted for a government, not an insurgency. When a majority of Palestinians were heard from, they endorsed not a holy terror to throw Israel into the sea, but practical diplomacy to get a state. ... ... The other noted political scientist who has been vindicated in recent weeks is George W. Bush. Across New York, Los Angeles and Chicago--and probably Europe and Asia as well--people are nervously asking themselves a question: "Could he possibly have been right?" The short answer is yes. Whether of not Bush deserves credit for everything that is happening in the Middle East, he has been fundamentally right about a few big things.

...and this...

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By Charles Krauthammer (Time) -- Jon Stewart, the sage of Comedy Central, is one of the few to be honest about it. "What if Bush ... has been right about this all along? I feel like my world view will not sustain itself and I may ... implode." Daniel Schorr, another critic of the Bush foreign policy, ventured, a bit more grudgingly, that Bush "may have had it right."

...

The Administration went ahead with this great project knowing it would be hostage to history. History has begun to speak. Elections in Afghanistan, a historic first. Elections in Iraq, a historic first. Free Palestinian elections producing a moderate leadership, two historic firsts. Municipal elections in Saudi Arabia, men only, but still a first. In Egypt, demonstrations for democracy--unheard of in decades--prompting the dictator to announce free contested presidential elections, a historic first.

... ...

To what do we attribute this Arab spring? While American (and European) liberal and "realist" critics are seeking some explanation, those a bit closer to the scene don't flinch from the obvious. "It is strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," Lebananese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt explained to David Ignatius of the Washington Post. "I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world. The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen, we can see it."

I looked for the articles online, and found Krauthammer's Time column here, and Zakaria's is available to subscribers on msnbc.newsweek.com.

Certainly, there are many promises waiting to come true throughout the region, and they are not without their challenges, but this is some pretty good stuff overall.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Skyrad 0]

Time tells all.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[kallend 2,175]

Krauthammer - now there's one unbiased observer

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[SpeedRacer 1]

well, Bush managed to f&*k up our economy & get a lotta people killed because of the war in Iraq. But I hope some day it will be worth it. I'd rather have things work out ultimately for the best than to have the satisfaction of being correct about Bush.

wait & see.

Speed Racer
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[Skyrad 0]

I agree with you. I was totally against the war but now two years on I belive that we (The US and the UK) have a moral obligation to see the process through to the endgame. No matter what the cost in the lives of our servicemen and women, the decision to sacrifice them was made over two years ago, to pull out before the stated stategic objective is compleated would be to dishonour the scarifice of those already dead.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[shropshire 0]

Hi - I agree 100% .. but we need to ensure an appropriate end game ... not just quick hand washing exercise.
We also need to remember ALL of the inocents killed in this mess ( then men, women and kids that did not ask for, or deserve to die, or made homeless etc..)
Least we forget.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Skyrad 0]

I agree. Clearly your surname isn't Blaire!

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[ryoder 1,590]

You can find all of Fareed's articles at his own website:

http://www.fareedzakaria.com/articles/archive.html

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[Gawain 0]

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well, Bush managed to f&*k up our economy & get a lotta people killed because of the war in Iraq. But I hope some day it will be worth it. I'd rather have things work out ultimately for the best than to have the satisfaction of being correct about Bush.

wait & see.

Wow, considering we were in a recession when he took office the first time, that's quite an accomplishment.

As to whether it was worth it, I believe it has been. Buddies in my squad and unit that have been there (and are getting to go a second time, my first) have said that it has been worth it.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[tcnelson 1]

you believe that the economy is worse now than when bush took office? wow. that's it; just an eye-popping wow. wait & see is right.

"Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch
NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329

[SpeedRacer 1]

oh, that's right....deficits don't matter. I forgot.

Speed Racer
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[markd_nscr986 0]

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Krauthammer - now there's one unbiased observer

Kind of like Al Franken's opposite number

Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004

• Quote

[tcnelson 1]

the other side of that sarcastic spectrum is: oh, that's right...deficits are the only thing that matter. i forgot.

"Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch
NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329