another witness to the strings........

Submitted by Adam Hakim (United States), Sep 29, 2009 at 12:41

I'm not sure if it is this one, but I have read a book by Abu Rish. And around the same time. Your report is well written. There's no arguing w/that. And the only thing I do agree the regional powers can effect in the form of policy change in the middle-east is increasing the quality of life for their subjects. But then this would mean sacrificing something by the rulers. And 2 things they are not going to bring to the altar of sacrifice are arms and comfort. Sadly though thats where all the fat is. I have been in the middle east. And Abu Rish is not off the mark when he accuses the leaders of being puppets. But they are for a reason. Not out of love for the west. OF course not. But out of fear of being overthrown.

True, much of the difficulties of the Arab world arise out of the lack of education and technological know how. But to train the ppl. to do what the west is being paid for means displacing the west as the preferred contractor. Ask yourself, "are the Arabs free to contract Japanese or Chinese drilling magnates to extract their oil for much cheaper prices. Or at least free to allow bidding by companies not amongst the majors?" What would happen if they suddenly told Exxon/Mobil...'sorry guys we can do it ourselves. We dont need your services any longer.

Oh, about the shock during the so called boycott-Its common knowledge amongst oil cos. that the crisis was exaggerated and the 7sisters again got the lions share. Im afraid Abu Rish is correct on many of his assumptions. I do disagree that fundamentalism or extremist Islam is the last stand. It is a desperate and defeatist position much like the Samson complex. As for Israel? Its time they just learned to get some radical acceptance and get along w/what is a state that is obviously here to stay for a long, long, time.

Thanks for your well written report. Adam Hakim USA

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