From Deseret News archives:
Middle East's rebirth is a rebirth of old woes
I thought: What a perfect way to describe the Middle East today going back to some premodern era? Alas, The Syria Times was not trying to be ironic. It turned out the headline was the title of a book about Aleppo in the 18th century. But had it been a news headline, it would have been apt.
Condoleezza Rice must have been severely jet-lagged when she said that what's going on in Lebanon and Iraq today were the "birth pangs of a new Middle East." Oh, I wish it were so. What we are actually seeing are the rebirth pangs of the old Middle East, only fueled now by oil and more destructive weaponry.
Some of the most primordial, tribal passions, which always lurk beneath the surface here Sunnis versus Shiites, Jews versus Muslims, Lebanese versus Syrians but are usually held in check by modern states or bonds of civilization, are exploding to the top.
There is nothing that you can't do to someone in the Middle East today, and there is no leader or movement no Nelson Mandela and no million-mom march coming out of this region, or into this region, to put a stop to the madness.
Now we've seen the Hezbollah leader, Hasan Nasrallah, take all of Lebanon into a devastating, unprovoked war with Israel, just to improve his political standing and take pressure off Iran.
America should be galvanizing the forces of order Europe, Russia, China and India into a coalition against these trends. But we can't. Why? In part, it's because our president and secretary of state, although they speak with great moral clarity, have no moral authority. That's been shattered by their performance in Iraq.
The world hates President Bush more than any U.S. president in my lifetime. He is radioactive and so caught up in his own ideological bubble that he is incapable of imagining or forging alternative strategies.
Comments
- Haws playing like a veteran 11:29 p.m.
- Cougars use depth to beat ASU 11:26 p.m.
- Household tips for frigid weather 11:14 p.m.
- Snow brings big chill 11:11 p.m.
- Many seek to wipe clean misdeeds 11:11 p.m.
- Santa clout? There's an app for that 11:09 p.m.
- Hatch's Hanukkah tune 11:06 p.m.
- Jazz go up against 'the best' 10:51 p.m.
- Red Devils dismantle another team 10:51 p.m.
- Heath care reform advocates rally 10:50 p.m.
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
- Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
- Snow brings big chill
- Cougars in better mood about bowl
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
- Ranking the bowl games
- $2M error could mean layoffs
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Expert calls Mitchell delusional
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
278 - Letters: Global warming a lie
213 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
205 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
164 - Cougars going back to Vegas
148 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
143 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
108 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
101 - Harpring's NBA career is over
99
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Hall finished 2-1 against ur Utes and you have to live with that fact. Oh and...
102 pts in a highschool game?? are you kidding me?? third highest score in...
pour salt down them and follow with enough water to get it down the drain but...
To "Anonymous" at 946pm: Nice job at contradicting yourself there. You go...
GO South Sevier! We love you guys!!
Sorry your wrong, Utes beat a then ranked Illinois team a week ago. Best win...
I think each mother should be free to choose what she feels is best for...
re: George Clooney. Am I supprised about this? no! Anyone remember about 15...
It's amazing how Max wants to move on so quickly after making a fool of...


You can be the first to comment on this story.