Uncertainty and the Loss of the Status Quo in the Middle East

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Aug 22, 2011 at 14:25

While the observations over the past few years has always presented sometimes contravening perspectives about how the circumstances in the Middle East are working depending upon those same observations, the central issue remains, how will Israel fare? We know from the majority of the Arabic speaking world their views, hopes and aspirations of eliminating Israel from the scene, but just what does that entail when we see the complexities of the underlying changes occurring in places like Egypt, Libya and Syria?

The questions posed to Dr. Pipes attempt to get a feel for just those types of observations, but there is still the underlying question yet to be dealt with: who does Israel depend upon when the next push to move against the Jewish state gains more momentum after the alliances of the Arab factions finish realignment? After all, is that not what is happening in the neighboring areas around Israel-realignment of the factions to brace for the next attempt to accomplish what has not been able to be accomplished since 1948?

This perception is that the Arabic push for democracy (the misnomered 'spring') is not all that it seems. While there may be groups within the mentioned nations and others that seek liberties to have normal lives in their respective societies, the militant factions they must associate with do not share such yearnings, the ideological issues dividing and separating populations so that the ultimate purpose can be accomplished.

Libya will see certain changes occurring, but to what extent? Syrian changes appear evident, but it will evoke differences in a way that will help complete an alignment that has certain expectations for some to continue the uncertainty.

The 'status quo, ' the stasis of the Middle East, of Israel still existing after so many attempts of diminishing Israel's place in their own country has never set well with the ideology that Israel does not deserve its own place. The world, stuck on the idea of peace in the Middle East and doing so at Israel's expense, continues trying to strike a deal with a mindset that eventually will result in the final imbalance of power; and still no one seems ready to deal with that outcome. Therein lays the uncertainty-where Dr. Pipes fears are justified-of who might ultimately win the current day, yet will who lose in the final analysis.

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