sadness Options

[flatliner]

the entire war is just sad.

we are at a time when no war is "winnable"

It pains me to see the news, and what is happening.

[Blakjak]

First, note I said that leaving was not an option, but rather the methodology designed to achieve our goals is completely wrong. You are right to say that the region is problematic because of oil and religion but much of that is the West's fault. Our policies are entirely alienating despite the fact that many arab societies are interested in civil rights and democracy. In the second half of the twentieth century many Arab states turned to socialism, then secularism, finally nationalism, each ending in disaster and public dissatisfaction. The oil boom allowed Arab governments to ignore thier citizens, allowing the populous to turn to radical Islam. This trend is evident in numerous recent elections won by fundamental Islamic parties. The 20th century Arab attempt at modernity was attributed to western influence, and now many Arabs "associate the failure of their governments with the failure of secularism and of the Western path.” This compounded the impression of the west as imperialistic and oppressive.

Second, comparing Iran and North Korea (or even Hitler's Germany!) is nonsense. Iran has chosen its path to international conflict although they are, relatively speaking, well off and economically viable in the Arab world. North Korea was backed into the corner by the Bush administration against the advice of several international allies and counter to the policies of several previous U.S. administrations. Playing hard ball with North Korea left them no options or bargaining chips- essentially cornering a wounded wild animal. The current debacle with North Korea is as much the U.S.'s fault as North Korea's.

Feel free to post more comments, this is fun.