Is Mid-East News Depressing? - Ultimately, No

Instapundit:

JEEZ, the Middle East post is too depressing to finish the night with. So here's a picture I took Friday at the Downtown Grill and Brewery.

Current news from the Middle East may be terrible, even horrific, but it, for very good reasons, is far from depressing. That's a better characterization of the news from the region for the last fifty years. We are experiencing a defining moment in world history and it's far from depressing.

From Pajamas Media:

“Egyptian leader also discloses Iranian offer to negotiate settlement with Hizbullah as part of Arab initiatives to resolve crisis, but Mubarak calls Tehran’s bid ‘a trap’”

And this from the G8:

“We demand first that the Israeli soldiers be returned to Israel healthy, that the attacks on Israel cease, and then naturally for Israel to halt military action.”

And this:

“Condoleezza Rice said that the United States is not interested at this point in a cease fire that would allow Hizbullah and the Hamas to violate it by firing rockets toward Israel.

The Arabs, led by Saudi Arabia, have condemned Hezbollah. A decade ago the only reports we'd be seeing would include pictures of mobs in the Arab Street shouting "Death to Israel". As tragic and possibly far from over is the current conflict, there has been movement in what amounts to glacial forces over the last decade and since we invaded Iraq.

The only hope that ever existed for bringing down the state infrastructures behind the world's worst terrorist organizations (Iran and Syria) had to start with driving a wedge into the Middle East - a region that has been more monolithic in its pro-terrorist, anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric than any other over the last fifty years.

The current news may be tragic, as it is, after all, news of war - but, so far, depressing it is not. If current positions by the majority of nations hold, we have crossed the ultimate Rubicon that needed to be crossed in order to finally bring peace to one of the most troubled regions of the world.

Not just Egypt, but now, through their rhetoric and led by Saudi Arabia, the majority of Arab nations have indicated a willingness to peacefully co-exist with a secure Israel. There hasn't been so profound a shift, or moment in contemporary world events since the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

Current headlines should give us pause, as no one really wants a war to take place; but there's more reason for optimism in today's news from the Middle East, then there is rationale for being depressed.

Now, if we can only defeat the ideological enemy within.

Comments

[TG]

You are not alone. Here is another who demands direct attack as we do.

Artic_Front said...

It would be de-cried by the entire world, and might be a bit over the top, BUT, a few cruise missles lobed into the homes, offices and parliament buildings of both Iran and Syria to cull the nut-jobs, completely de-stabilize the balance of power, and give those folks in both countries who long for real freedom a chance to take back their nations from the radical element.

And I agree. Israel is missing the target. The target is the commander of Hezbollah. That is Ahamadinejad in Tehran, not Ratwala in Lebanon.

The electric car would cut out Iran*s oil wealth advantage. The EV-1 is here but GM is trying to bury it. 800 lease drivers loved it but GM took them all back and crunched them. Google- TheHuffingtonPost
= TG

[CONservative governMENt]

The bombing of the Lebanese International Airport proves beyond any refutation of the facts that Israel is an out of control rogue terrorist state. Just because a few of their soldiers go misssing doesn't give them the right to bomb whoever the hell they feel like. The Israelis are thee most anti semetic nation in the middle east. They hate the Arab semites, and are genociding the vastly outgunned Palestinians daily. It's an atrocity. Israel proved they are a nation of cowards whose only talent seems to be shooting unarmed men, women and children. They're heartless and dispicable. I am hopeful that the divest from Israel movement will continue gaining steam. I for one and many other Americans are sick and tired of Israeli apartheid.

[splashtc]

I wish the us would react this way when one of our own goes missing. Making treaties and peace deals then not living up to them- wearing masks , hiding in caves and tunnels, kidnapping people-mothers and fathers approving and sending their children off as suicide bombers.....who are the cowards?

[Tom W.]

Great satire, CONservative governMENt. You've got the prissy, outraged, bizzaro-world moonbat routine down pat. Unbelievable that some people actually think that way for real, isn't it?

Thanks for giving me a good laugh.

[TG]

You are not alone. Here is another who demands direct attack as we do.

Artic_Front said...

It would be de-cried by the entire world, and might be a bit over the top, BUT, a few cruise missles lobed into the homes, offices and parliament buildings of both Iran and Syria to cull the nut-jobs, completely de-stabilize the balance of power, and give those folks in both countries who long for real freedom a chance to take back their nations from the radical element.

And I agree. Israel is missing the target. The target is the commander of Hezbollah. That is Ahamadinejad in Tehran, not Ratwala in Lebanon.

The electric car would cut out Iran*s oil wealth advantage. The EV-1 is here but GM is trying to bury it. 800 lease drivers loved it but GM took them all back and crunched them. Google- TheHuffingtonPost
= TG

[Kathy]

Current news from the Middle East may be terrible, even horrific, but it, for very good reasons, is far from depressing.

What a positive attitude you have. Tragedy and horror are not always depressing. In this case, tragedy and horror bring good cheer and happiness.

... a region that has been more monolithic in its pro-terrorist, anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric than any other over the last fifty years.

Yes. I would rather see an entire convoy of children turned into charred corpses than find non-lethal ways of handling anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric. Rhetoric means "words," right?

[Kathy]

Apparently html doesn't work on this blog, so I reposted with Dan's statements in quotes.

"Current news from the Middle East may be terrible, even horrific, but it, for very good reasons, is far from depressing."

What a positive attitude you have. Tragedy and horror are not always depressing. In this case, tragedy and horror bring good cheer and happiness.

"... a region that has been more monolithic in its pro-terrorist, anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric than any other over the last fifty years."

Yes. I would rather see an entire convoy of children turned into charred corpses than find non-lethal ways of handling anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric. Rhetoric means "words," right?

[rwilymz]

"Just because a few of their soldiers go misssing doesn't give them the right to bomb whoever the hell they feel like."

It's not like they fell into a ditch after a late night of boozing. They were captured during a raid into Israeli territory by paramilitaries operating with the tacit permission of the Lebanese government.

That makes it a violation of Israeli sovereignty.

What would happen if Canada invaded upstate New York, kidnapped a couple of US Customs Agents? Would we say "oh, they can do that, because if we react, it'll just mean we're anti-canuckian"?

Please. If you're going to do stand-up, at least make sure your audience is sitting down for it.

[Kathy]

"Just because a few of their soldiers go misssing doesn't give them the right to bomb whoever the hell they feel like."

I don't know who said this, but I agree with it. That's encouraging.

[Skyboxx]

Sounds like this may be reigned in. Both superpowers now calling for cease fire. Thought it was interesting how our media quickly linked stories of collusion between Hamas and Hezbollah. Other news agencies outside USA, have not make the link yet.

The US will clearly stand behind Israel.

Know what I find funny (odd)? Cloud in the sky and gas prices go up. Summer demand arrives and gas prices go up.

These guys bomb each other for days, stock market tanks, barrel of Oil prices go up and my local pump price has not changed?

Now somebody explain that one?

[raindrops]

Although I am in favor of the Israelis kicking Hezbollah's ass, we got word today of some developments which do give us reason personally to pray extra hard. Several students majoring in international relations at the university my son attends were in Lebanon doing a summer session on middle east politics. Now they are trapped (along with some others) and our govt. is desperately trying to figure a way to get them out. Without the airport and with missles flying it doesn't seem that rescue helicopters are an option at this time. These future diplomats and foreign service personnel are getting a very hard lesson about real life. I only hope it won't be the last lesson they learn.

[Herschel Smith]

Dan,

I am very afraid that Israel is blinking on Hezbollah, thus creating the situation in which terrorism all over the world will be emboldened. Hezbollah needs to be destroyed completely. Only then will Hamas, Al Qaida, Islamic Jihad and the rest of them, Syria and Iran blink.

http://www.captainsjournal.com/2006/07/16/israel-hesitating-on-hezbollah/

[Tim Collier]

"The Arab Street" Yeah. OK. Those same brain-dead folks that danced in the streets after the brutal murder of innocent American citizens on 9.11.01 ? The same unevolved folks that follow the 'teachings' of a murderer and pedophile from the 7th Century?

"Palestinians" the ones that no Arab Nation would welcome or admit to immigrate to their lands?

Lebanese, the same that openly and brazenly elected Hezbollah Thugs to Office?

Syrians? A member in full standing of the Axis of Evil?

Yeah...Then what about the folks that live on the streets of border cities in Israel?

Plainly and clearly, for me, the folks that support, fund, join, train,or furnish their children to serve in the ranks of Terrosists neither deserve consideration, mercy or the support of Civilized Nations of the West.

UN Resolution 1559 was never Respected or Enforced. That kept the gate open for the Cartoon Character that leads Iran to use his brain-dead surrogates to create the present conflict.

The Arab Street. It is no longer worthy of Respect, Charity, UN Funding or credibility.

This is not about the Arab Street. It about the survival of Civilization. Period.

Israel is deserving of our support and respect. The Arab Street again proves itself worthy of only contempt and condemnation by reasonable folks anywhere.

Restraint? Those on the Arab Street deserve none. Start a War, Get a War.

[henessey]

When are the American people going to realize that the actions of the state of Israel, and US support for those actions, are the root cause for most support for terrorism in this world?

[Captain Joe]

Any predictions of when NYT will come out with the story that CIA is helping Israel to target hezzies?

[Tim Collier]

Having spent 12 years of my adult life in places like Bosnia, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, and lastly Iraq, and having lived in the US and Japan, South Korea and visited Israel I must abruptly refute any assumptions that Israel was the cause for rampantly brutal and irrational acts plotted and comitted by radical Islamic thugs. Having witnessed the murder, mayhem and destruction caused by by those who respect no rules, I can post with some first hand knowlege as opposed to philosophical and 'high minded' theory.

Arafat disenfranchised the "palestinians". Lebanon bought into the 7th Century Barbarism of Hezbollah when the UN did not enforce UN Resolution 1559. http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/lebanon/res1559.htm

Read it Now if you have not.

The American people poured $Billions into the UN for the perpetuation of conditions that lead up to the present situation in Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza. All of which I have seen ...they are still hell holes!

Now if your neighbors hosted a pack of dogs that had a history of killing your cattle and harming your children and spreading hate, destruction and discontent would you allow it to continue?

Israel is totally justified in defending it`s people from that pack of rabid dogs. Period.

[rwilymz]

"When are the American people going to realize that the actions of the state of Israel, and US support for those actions, are the root cause for most support for terrorism in this world?"

When you give them the name of your supplier.

Do you hear the pretty colors?

[Phoenix]

You have to hand to the neo-cons of a few years back. Everything is going according to their futuristic ability to know exactly how things were going to go down. It is almost too perfect to believe. The Axis of Evil is spinning mightily on their little thrones. They'll go flying off soon and maybe, just maybe, non-believers in the evil these countries have promulgated will turncoat and say, "Yeah...ooh, yeah.. I knew that." For those of us with minds capable of seeing possibilities and recognizing them when they appear, HALLELUJAH! Let's get this show on the road!

[TG]

You are not alone. Here is another who demands direct attack as we do.

Artic_Front said...

It would be de-cried by the entire world, and might be a bit over the top, BUT, a few cruise missles lobed into the homes, offices and parliament buildings of both Iran and Syria to cull the nut-jobs, completely de-stabilize the balance of power, and give those folks in both countries who long for real freedom a chance to take back their nations from the radical element.

And I agree. Israel is missing the target. The target is the commander of Hezbollah. That is Ahamadinejad in Tehran, not Ratwala in Lebanon.

The electric car would cut out Iran*s oil wealth advantage. The EV-1 is here but GM is trying to bury it. 800 lease drivers loved it but GM took them all back and crunched them. Google- TheHuffingtonPost
= TG

[tfl]

"When are the American people going to realize that the actions of the state of Israel, and US support for those actions, are the root cause for most support for terrorism in this world?"

when are bed-wetting libbies going to realize that actions of Islamic fundalmentalists are the root cause of terrorism in this world? The only thing thats changed over the centuries is they use bombs and rockets instead of knives and swords.

[rwilymz]

The pan-islamist "terrorists" are a paramilitary organization.

There are three conditions necessary to create and maintain paramilitary organizations:
1] huge wads of poor and uneducated rabble pissed about being poor and uneducated
2] a charismatic "intellectual" who can convince the poor and uneducated that his cause is their cause too, and to fight his war for him
3] a source of mucho dinero to pay for weapons

Without any one of those conditions, you do not get, e.g., Hamas, or Hezbollah, or al Qaida.

Without #1, you have a whole bunch of wealthy liberal arts students suffering existential angst all over the place and annoying passers-by.

Without #2, you have a righteously indignant blog.

Without #3, you have a mob with pointy sticks storming the gates.

It is historically impossible to avoid having #1; there is no system ever created which is capable of eliminating "poor" and "uneducated" from the human condition. There are simply systems which reduce those. And the systems which reduce "poor" and "uneducated" are these:
1] capitalism under a democratic framework;
2] that is all;
3] nothing else works near as well.

Declaring that Israel or the US pissing off scads of Arabs to be the "root cause" of the paramilitary hooliganism that is modern "terrorism" advertises a grand ignorance of history. There always has been poor and uneducated people pissed off at being who they are. Israel existing and doing what it needs to do to survive doesn't alter that in any meaningful manner.

Poor and ignorant massses led by charismatic "intellectuals" have also existed from time to time, and revolutions by pointy-stick-weilding masses sometimes succeed. France, Russia, in many way America itself are prime examples.

What is different today is that these poor ignoramuses with charismatic charlatans leading them are now being paid to wage their wars by rich folks who don't want to risk having to wage that war themselves directly. And these rich folks are rather few in number.

There are a handful of individuals with access to the kind of money necessary to fund a war -- Osama bin Laden, e.g. But more often, the sponsors of surreptitious wars are nations: Iraq funded Hamas; Syria and Iran fund Hezbollah, and now that Iraq is out of the picture, Hamas as well. Afghanistan provided al Qaida a place to play.

Addressing the rabble which flesh the ranks of these paramilitaries is noble but misguided. What makes anyone think that we're capable of eliminating what has always existed in ten thousand years of human civilization today when we couldn't in the first ten thousand years? apart from supreme arrogance, that is?

It's easier to catch the half-dozen large terrorist financiers, and the dozen smaller contributors than eliminate billions of poor and uneducated rabble.

[DB]

-- A U.S. citizen bystander’s perspective. Violence has been part of this area now for over 1000 years, and it seems it isn’t going to stop any time soon. I cannot even start to condemn Israel for their actions, or be sad about the deaths that have occurred in Lebanon, where you have not only a terrorist organization who believes in the destruction of Israel, but also has support from a large populace in southern Lebanon and is also a political party that is involved with the Lebanese government. This active support, either by allowing them to take part in a political process and to allow their ideas, which have led to violent actions, to exist and even support them to me makes the so called “innocent” not very innocent and indeed very much part of the problem.

Russia’s president made a comment about force being unbalanced, which to me suggests he feels Israel should play a tit for tat game with Hezbollah. Maybe he should review his history books to see what has ended most conflict in the world, which is one side giving a decisive blow to the other and then sitting them down at a table to negotiate something that no longer threatens lives of the victor. Israel should not and I am sure never gave any consideration to these comments when Hezbollah launches rockets into their country, and indeed Haifa, which is a major, and modern city in Israel, which a very big population.

If a million or more people must die to get the point across that wishing death upon your neighbor isn’t very polite, then let the million die. The world will be a better place once these thought processes are as dead as the people who held these thoughts.