69 million page views

The Middle East Requires Optimism be Contrasted with Realism-The Practicality of Why Islam Cannot Relent is Still Obscured.

Reader comment on item: My Optimism about the New Arab Revolt

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Mar 2, 2011 at 18:12

There may be, indeed, certain optimism about the transforming changes in the various collapsed Muslimesque regimes that are under the scrutiny of world opinion and sometimes acerbic commentary; but what does the discernment of pragmatic minds reveal may be the underlying and root cause of the dissent that brought about the newsworthy video feeds for world consumption? What are the real issues that have escaped the general coverage and were only peripherally mentioned while the big news of other governments lending favor or castigation of the errant autocrats garner the attention of prime time media?

While holding a high regard for Dr. Pipes' observations, from this reader's dissenting perspective there is suggestive evidence that the underlying circumstances not being sorted out for public scrutiny give indications that history is being prepped for the writing of the next chapter after the scenario of these latest changes is played out. The idea that the differences between the Saudi/Wahabbists' Islam and the Iranian version are locked in some form of identity control of what Islam should be like is going to be resolved in some collaborative fashion needs quite a bit of dialogue and deliberation (if not outright altercation) to get to the point that some relief in the Middle East situation is in the offing.

In simple terms, the ideological disparity of the Iranian Islamic revolution and the established Saudi camp is not going to be solved by anything other than capitulation of one to the other. In that vein, it may very well be that the al-Madhi does need to show himself at some time in the future and the nonconforming Muslims will be compelled to tow the line. Moderate Islam and moderate Muslims will no longer be tolerated, for shari'a law, whether Sunni or Shi'a, will be the law of the land. Given the necessity of that for Islam to be unified to be the most effective, getting to that does not bode well for the circumstances of the Middle East searching for peace; and not being able to obtain it while defining the affiliations of whose imam a Muslim must follow are still in the works.

But to the extremist, this does not need working out, at least if the result is one an Islamist anarchist is required to conform to something he has sworn to die trying to destroy. Thus we see how Egypt and Jordan have both consented to maintain a relatively peaceful border relationship with Israel, while within their respective regimes there are those resolved to dissolve that peace in the continuing effort to destroy Israel.

Syria and Turkey are both relatively quiet by comparison from internal dissidence from the reason that they are now being controlled by a government friendly and collaborative with the Islamist fundamentalist operatives working towards the overthrow of Israel. Syria, through its agency of Lebanon and its intention to regain the Golan, has allowed extremists the freedom to harass Israel and keep the borders there on edge. Hamas, the quasi-government for the 'Palestinian' Authority has kept its activities high against Israel, waiting and biding the time for a perceived redress of their complaints about why Israel seems able to be defiant about not surrendering as they wish, even as Iran waits for its chance to pull the necessary strings to put Israel over the edge. Turkey waits in the north.

It will take more than a tune from some celebrity to lull the Middle East into a peaceful accord that will allow the rest of the world a rest from the rancor that always captures the news. In fact, peace will be elusive to the very end of the patience of the extremists and their government sponsors as they wait for their next opportunity to cause yet more dissent and turmoil. They keep pushing the boundary to see what will be the key turning point in promoting their agenda. Let's see; what's it going to take?

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

<< Previous Comment      Next Comment >>

Reader comments (42) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
4Another parallel between communism and Islamic politics [118 words]PrashantMar 31, 2011 03:54183763
Change of heart by Lee Smith-Now claims Israel will thrive! [33 words]ShishirMar 31, 2011 00:35183759
8Doubtful [562 words]Fred BaehrMar 24, 2011 17:14183584
You are you [12 words]Firozali A.MullaMar 11, 2011 14:10183323
2A Drug called Hallucinating [105 words]Jay1Mar 3, 2011 18:30183133
1I'm with you, [45 words]Sohel Ahmed BahjatMar 3, 2011 14:16183129
1Optimism about the revolts in the Middle East [75 words]IsaacMar 3, 2011 09:38183123
1acknowledging reality [27 words]gfmucciMar 2, 2011 22:16183120
3I wish I could share your optimism. [180 words]Peter HerzMar 2, 2011 20:17183119
3The Middle East Requires Optimism be Contrasted with Realism-The Practicality of Why Islam Cannot Relent is Still Obscured. [655 words]M. ToveyMar 2, 2011 18:12183116
3Very well said, Mr. Tovey - reality says otherwise ... [139 words]kmanMar 4, 2011 17:13183116
4No difference between the leaders and the led [89 words]Abu NudnikMar 2, 2011 16:37183114
2I Wish I Could Share Your Optimism about Egypt [112 words]hopeneverdiesMar 2, 2011 13:26183110
1UNVERIFIED: Wael Ghonim was not permitted to speak [198 words]John in Michigan, USAMar 4, 2011 12:35183110
12 Questions [63 words]ArtMar 2, 2011 08:27183103
2The Middle East [23 words]D. MolinaMar 2, 2011 07:17183101
5Optimism vs. the Paramount Issue [363 words]Prof. Paul EidelbergMar 2, 2011 03:45183095
1Prof. Eidelberg is correct [222 words]UgriMar 5, 2011 11:15183095
Muslims awakening is good for humanity [215 words]KamekishMar 2, 2011 02:13183094
Lee Smith portends the End of Israel [30 words]ShishirMar 2, 2011 00:10183092
Israel's Historical Narrative is a Better Resource to Believe than Mr. Smith's Misdirected View [44 words]M. ToveyMar 23, 2011 19:36183092
4The Hunchback of Notre Dame [119 words]Jerrold L. SobelMar 1, 2011 20:20183090
1Thank you for your work [50 words]John in Michigan, USAMar 1, 2011 19:05183088
2Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel [260 words]BAMar 1, 2011 18:18183087
The Middle-East [34 words]REXMar 1, 2011 17:44183086
2I rub my eyes [77 words]mythMar 1, 2011 17:10183081
14Tempered Optimism [421 words]Arn HatfieldMar 1, 2011 15:25183077
6Agreed [69 words]DanMar 3, 2011 15:50183077
brotherhood among all human being who will create? [46 words]muhammad GhufranMar 18, 2011 03:55183077
1Overly Optimistic Of You [43 words]Gary SackMar 1, 2011 14:45183076
55A Different and Most Remarkable Vision: the Collapse of Islam [1013 words]Ron ThompsonMar 1, 2011 14:11183075
7Optimistic but unrealistic [489 words]SusanMar 3, 2011 01:44183075
1Hopeful [194 words]Joe Six-PackMar 3, 2011 10:35183075
Perhaps [232 words]DougMar 10, 2011 17:57183075
3And Compare the KNOW-NOTHING Disapproval of Congressman King's Hearing [271 words]Ron ThompsonMar 12, 2011 22:58183075
Collapse of Islam [7 words]Thomas WheelerApr 6, 2011 16:36183075
The collaps of Islam? No way [133 words]AngelApr 15, 2011 16:23183075
Egyptian risks [55 words]PezDispenserMar 1, 2011 13:47183074
1But then there's the Lara Logan incident, among others ... [108 words]David KoralMar 1, 2011 12:32183073
1You're right, David: The Jews and America are still the enemy to them [29 words]Abu NudnikMar 2, 2011 16:40183073
1Details of the Lara Logan incident? [214 words]John in Michigan, USAMar 4, 2011 13:06183073
1Dominoes [125 words]David BrooksMar 1, 2011 09:19183070

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)