Requiem for the Middle East Status Quo

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Aug 22, 2011 at 19:30

There are many times this reader takes a discerning view of the observations made by Dr. Pipes in this forum; this is not one of them.

Dr. Pipes foundation of being cautious of the underlying circumstances regarding just exactly who is going to be benefit the most when the smoke clears and the body count is completed, for as it has been surmised by this reader that there are other 'factors' at play in this one scenario of many upheavals in the Middle East and just exactly what is going on. Dr. Pipes, you are NOT wrong.

As asserted elsewhere, the agents of influence for the Muslim extremist ideology lays extremely close to the surface of the moderate façade to the extent that even in places where one might not think there is a ideological eruption just waiting for the right moment to happen, then the worst case scenario appears. Your illustration of Iran, Dr. Pipes, is the planned example, the only variation being discerning the distinction of Sunni versus Shiite sympathies.

There appears to be a reluctance on the part of many in the 'west' that will be the undoing of the social character of many countries, Norway being the latest and maybe a more tragic example, not because of the deep trauma of the magnitude of the Norwegian civilian losses alone, but for the perception that as extremism of any sort is emblematic of a society that has lost a sense of foundational values, there is then the perception that incitement of a greater danger is present, but not easily perceived to be dealt with.

In the United States, the continuing debates of allowing the Muslim ideology behind the New York placement of a Islamic commemorative site near the Towers is in the same category of not recognizing the underlying loss of the social values of a society that once embraced the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty; and to further have those values demeaned at the cost of the freedoms of the citizens who once counted on the defense of liberties paid for in the deaths of those lost in September 11, 2001.

Now, Libya may seem to be on the verge of having a new government that could conceivably guarantee citizens new freedoms once the power has shifted from the former regime. But, as might be proffered in view of Dr. Pipes' concerns, another agenda is formed; and one that does not call for a free Libya. Further, if in fact Dr. Pipes worst fears do materialize as is the opinion of this reader, a more sinister presentation of underlying circumstances will materialize as well, a synchronization of the factions that are present in most of the Middle East, ready to be coordinated for further promotion of a grander agenda.

Much of the Muslim world does appear to be more closely associated with the 'ummah' mindset, of a shari'a type of world control that would allow for the replacement of the 'western mores' so many of the Muslim community hates. But for them to obtain that goal there is still the prerequisite goal to be achieved: elimination of Israel and her control of Jerusalem. And as may be well thought, a realigned Muslim character in the Middle East, just as seen in Libya and promulgated by the peculiar actions of certain western forces, is not out of the realm of possibility to be a new force to be reckoned with when considering the loss of the status quo in the Middle East.

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