Mubarak relinquishes power

[wildbill sb]

Gone is Mubarek,
What's left for Egypt's future,
Muslim Brotherhood?

[Pakuni]

From one Israeli newspaper
...

Sure, sure. This has been Mubarak's excuse for clutching onto power for decades. Stunning that a dictator forced out by a pro-Democracy movement says the movement is doomed to fail.

I guess some people in that part of the world (Iraqis, Afghanis, etc.) are thirsting for political freedom and, gosh darnit, we're going to give it to them.
Others, like Egyptians, aren't quite up to the task of making decisions for themselves, I guess.
Apparently the only chance of successful self-governance in the Middle East is when another nation imposes it on them.

[akmarq]

From one Israeli newspaper

Maybe if the cornerstone of our Middle East policy wasn't unconditional support of Israel then Muslim Extremism wouldn't dislike us?

Nah - that'd be crazy.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Maybe if the cornerstone of our Middle East policy wasn't unconditional support of Israel then Muslim Extremism wouldn't dislike us?

Nah - that'd be crazy.

You don't think we should support the only true democracy in the Middle East?  What should we do then in our actions toward Israel?  I hear some people say we should just walk away...what say you?

[Hards Alumni]

You don't think we should support the only true democracy in the Middle East?  What should we do then in our actions toward Israel?  I hear some people say we should just walk away...what say you?

I see that trap you are setting.

I can't imagine it is going to take this thread anywhere but down la crappier.

[Ari Gold]

You don't think we should support the only true democracy in the Middle East?  What should we do then in our actions toward Israel?  I hear some people say we should just walk away...what say you?

some people just don't realize the historical, political and even biblical implications

[ChicosBailBonds]

Ari..agree.  Yet some people think i'm setting a trap.   

[Hards Alumni]

some people just don't realize the historical, political and even biblical implications

You're right, if Israel falls, the world comes to an end.

No one is attacking Israel as long as they have nukes.

bottom line.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You're right, if Israel falls, the world comes to an end.

No one is attacking Israel as long as they have nukes.

bottom line.

No one is attacking the United States, as long as we have nukes.

bottom line


OOPS


I don't agree with you at all on this Hards.  All it takes is a few rogue groups to do something really stupid without the backing of a nation state (or even with the backing) to fulfill some crazy religious prophecy.  Quite frankly, an attack on Israel could lead to WWIII and then all bets are off.

[GGGG]

I don't really care about the one true democracy in the middle east, because it gives us nothing strategically.  Supporting states just because they are democracies is exceedingly stupid.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I don't really care about the one true democracy in the middle east, because it gives us nothing strategically.  Supporting states just because they are democracies is exceedingly stupid.

You don't think having an ally in the middle of one of the richest oil regions in the world is not a strategic advantage for us?  Let alone the critical water ways (Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea).  Keeping Israel protected seems to be one of the few bipartisan things that both parties of power have believed is the right thing to do for 60+ years

[GGGG]

You don't think having an ally in the middle of one of the richest oil regions in the world is not a strategic advantage for us?  Let alone the critical water ways (Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea).  Keeping Israel protected seems to be one of the few bipartisan things that both parties of power have believed is the right thing to do for 60+ years

The only reason both parties agree with this is because of $$$.

It is ridiculously dumb to have an ally in an oil rich region that has no oil...and are enemies of the countries with the oil.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The only reason both parties agree with this is because of $$$.

It is ridiculously dumb to have an ally in an oil rich region that has no oil...and are enemies of the countries with the oil.

Money is certainly one reason, but it's by far not the only reason. 

[reinko]

Anyone trying to really argue for or against the USA's policy toward Israel and the middle east in a matter of sentences just needs to stop.  It's borderline offensive to simply it within about 35 words.