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Diplomacy is only as good as the Diplomats

Reader comment on item: Israel and Syria going to war?
in response to reader comment: Diplomacy and Mid-East don't mix.

Submitted by Chris G. (United States), Jun 30, 2007 at 23:44

I have to respectfully disagree with your belief that the way Bush is handling the war on terror is the right path or the only path to take. My background on this issue is that I am a cultural anthropologist (and have a BA in psychology) who specializes in developing alternative methods of counter-terrorism. I have lived in or traveled to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and Indonesia and have 8 years experience in the US Army Reserve.

Lets look at the victories you mentioned:

1. Saddam Hussein is gone and dead. Yes that is a GOOD thing. However, as much as we hated Saddam Hussein, there still exists no solid evidence of links between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda. He was a thorn in our side, but he also was a powerful enemy against Al-Qaeda as they were a threat to his power.

One thing many Americans (and our leaders) fail to understand is that democracy in the Middle East is not necessarily a good thing. It can't be forced upon people and can be very dangerous for us if they elect politicians who are extremely hostile to America. All through modern Middle Eastern history, generally speaking, dictators of that region have usually suppressed Islamic radicalism unless it was to their political advantage.

Now that we see Saddam gone and are now occupying Iraq, we have given a HUGE gift to Al-Qaeda by first giving them a huge rallying cry for recruitment (driving out a non-Muslim invader in a Islamic nation) and by creating a power vacuum in which they can thrive. The recent foiled bombing attempt in London, England showed hallmarks of insurgent style bombs used in Iraq most likely courtesy of training received there. Iraq has essentially become the absolute best training camp possible for Al-Qaeda. Only the best and smartest survive going up against the United States military. You might call it "social darwinism" in action. We are no facing a much more lethal brand of terrorist because of it.

2. Zero terrorist acts in the USA?- That also has zero to do with the war in Iraq and more to do with excellent law enforcement work that has foiled several terrorist plots. It also has to do with the fact that our Muslim population here in the U.S. is not as fanatical as the ones in Europe. That has largely to do with economic conditions. We also have some popular Muslim scholars like Hamza Yusuf and Zaid Shakir who have done an excellent job of appealing to youth and speaking out against terrorism and extremism,. I have also run into countless other Muslim Imams (clerics) who regularly speak out against extremism and terrorist ideologies in their mosques as well as in private Qu'ran/Hadith studies amongst their pupils.

3. In Afghanistan things are changing radically. The Taliban is far from eliminated. In some areas they actually drove out NATO troops. What is more troublesome is that while traditionally, the Taliban did not support suicide bombing against civilians, now more and more Al-Qaeda style bombings are being done randomly against Afghani civilians. They have also murdered many Afghanis in many towns such as women who tried to go to school as well as dozens of teachers. Overall, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in that region are now better supplied and better trained the ever. Part of this may be due to training and combat experience received in Iraq.

4. Pakistan is indeed largely to blame, but don't point the finger solely at their President (Musharraf). He is playing a deadly game of politics. On one side he truly has made some moves to crack down on extremists, however on the other side he is limited to how much he can crack down on them because he if he is too tough and incites a full scale rebellion. he could start a civil war in Pakistan in which his political opponents (other generals, etc...) would quickly overthrow him. Then suddenly overnight we could be faced with a nuclear-armed radical enemy in that region. That is why it is wise not to push Musharraf too hard on cracking down otherwise we could stand the chance of making things much worse.

5. The Israelis have not always failed in peace with Arab nations. So far the peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan are holding up well despite many challenges. The main problem is with the Palestinians who are political hay for Middle East politicians. In that case however both sides are to blame for many of the failed negotiations and broken cease fires.

Chris G.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (39) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
THE BACKSTABBING MIDDLE EAST ! [363 words]jack backermanSep 8, 2007 06:39108238
Zakir naik [51 words]Dirk PittmanSep 8, 2007 01:47108202
7 DEADLY SINS OF GEORGE W BUSH: [585 words]Ernesto RibeiroJul 14, 2007 13:44103669
You are right about clinton! [297 words]jackSep 22, 2007 21:16103669
Syria announced a July 15th deadline for Syrians to leave Lebanon... [761 words]James VesceJul 12, 2007 14:58103526
the root of war against terrorism is rich iranians in usa and other countries accross the globe! [346 words]zari namdarJul 6, 2007 10:18103107
2To... Zari Namdar [1699 words]Aria M.Jul 10, 2008 13:47103107
To Arya M,From: An XXX Iranian {now 100%American} [340 words]zari namdarJul 11, 2008 02:32103107
To Zahra Namdar, a.k.a Iranian Hater [1669 words]Aria M.Jul 13, 2008 18:05103107
1heheheh [31 words]kivancJan 19, 2009 08:33103107
1Let's work instead of beeing jealous [39 words]FredFeb 20, 2010 21:52103107
You are wrong [106 words]MaryJun 21, 2010 00:11103107
1bullshit [42 words]PersianAthiestDec 28, 2010 00:19103107
DIRECTOR [84 words]SASANJun 12, 2013 22:13103107
End Times War? [52 words]Clifford IshiiJun 20, 2007 17:4499719
Not only exciting... [2 words]JoshuaJun 21, 2007 22:1799719
Response to 'Endtime war?': [35 words]Matthew 24Jul 21, 2007 08:4899719
War with Israel, suicide for Damascus [545 words]Chris G.Jun 19, 2007 21:1699580
Re: A bad Idea for everyone [225 words]JoshuaJun 20, 2007 17:0999580
Iran's involvement with Syria [808 words]Chris G.Jun 22, 2007 11:2799580
No war on the Golan Border [201 words]yuval Brandstetter MDJun 11, 2007 06:0997637
Ahmadinejad [81 words]JoshuaJun 10, 2007 21:4597617
Next Year in Jerusalem? [141 words]Rebecca MouldsJun 8, 2007 20:3297001
2Israel The Only Real Superpower In Middle East, Iran, Syria, Wanabees [124 words]AnneMJun 23, 2007 08:3897001
Bashar-al-Assad [83 words]Len MarkowitzJun 7, 2007 19:5496652
Is Assad that stupid? [55 words]Oscar NavarroJun 7, 2007 19:2096647
The passage of time [119 words]David W. LincolnJun 7, 2007 19:1796645
The problem with war [65 words]freemanJun 7, 2007 17:5396636
Dr. Pipes is Right unfortunately.- Deterrence in action. [278 words]YnnatchkahJun 7, 2007 17:2096634
hezbollah a factor [63 words]LEON ZEITZERJun 7, 2007 15:1596619
Incompetence has a way of generating unpredictability [59 words]RandyJun 7, 2007 13:4396483
Negotiating strategy? [32 words]Bobbie WenickJun 7, 2007 12:1196478
Israel and Syria diplomacy [224 words]jJun 7, 2007 10:1496466
Diplomacy and Mid-East don't mix. [177 words]Oscar NavarroJun 7, 2007 19:4396466
Diplomacy is only as good as the Diplomats [762 words]Chris G.Jun 30, 2007 23:4496466
Israeli leaders, weak or strong, inevitably make bad deals with the Arabs [428 words]Kenneth S. BesigJun 7, 2007 10:0096465
Frogs Luxuriating in a Large Pot of Warm Water, Over a High Flame. [619 words]marianaJun 9, 2007 11:5196465
1War necessary for peace? [655 words]Chris G.Jun 26, 2007 18:5096465
For Money, The Koran does not comdemn to have business with Jews. Palestinian's Scandal. [400 words]Ynna (tchakh)May 19, 2007 17:0193648

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