Is this becoming a political venture or is it a revamp of the Middle East?
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3229 100%
The UN Secretary General basically gave a rebuke to Powell about his statements about Syria, because once again the US was not using the UN as a base to bring up these kinds of problems. The Secretary General also said that the US is only going to cause destabilization in the region. In a followup to this the US ambassador to Syria agreed that Syria IS DOING what the US says it is (hiding Saddam leadership, chemical weapons, etc).
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3229 100%
The Secretary General giving a rebuke to Colin Powell?
That's a joke.
I believe, in all seriousness, that there will be an eventual "revamping" of the Middle East, especially in light of the fall of the Hussein dictatorship.
Already several countries, notably Iran and the Palestinians are moving away from the idea of totalitarian governments. There are a lot you young people over there who want something better than what has been for so long.
The signs of political unrest is everywhere, and Iraq has just proven to all of them  that it can be achieved.
It won't take war after war, however. I think the people themselves will inagurate changes in the various countries.
I don't think war with Syria is even on the table for the US. They made their point, loud and clear. Everyone sat up and took notice.
The Ayatollah of Iran has told his cabinet that it is in Iran's interests to open a dialogue with the US.
Little Runt in North Korea is all of a sudden quite willing to have unilateral discussions.
I did a little quick math on this. The numbers are not precise, mind you, but they give you a rough picture of what the terrorist boys are looking at.
Counting 9/11, US casualties are around 2,500
Terrorist and their supporters casualties roughly 280,000 and two countries. Get the picture? You can bet Syria, Iran and North Korea have gotten it.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3229 100%
Fireduck,
Yes.
I stand corrected. Sometimes fingers type faster than brain works.
But as I type this, Little Runt is talking tough again.
Seems Rumsfield has stepped a little hard on the toes of his ego. (Dummy doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut)
I really can't conceive of another war happening. The tolerance level here in the US goes only so far.
Even as hawkish as I am, I see no point in jumping Syria. We have extreme leverage now, and need to be smart about it.
We need to cultivate the people of Iraq, gain their trust and establish ourselves as credible allies rather than enemies.
I agree with the "political earthquake" analogy, although I don't see the US as "causing" it. The times are changing, and we were merely a player in the scene.
The Middle East is coming out of their Middle Ages mindset. If we can find a way to change this traditional advesarial role, that will be a good thing.
I think we would stand a better chance if our President were not a die-hard, fundamentalist, evangelical christian, however- with strong ties to Franklin Graham.