It is very hard to break a long and bad habit, stuck with a mind-set, mired in contradictions. Supporting tyrants and their coterie, for oil and "security", but mouthing platitudes about democracy and human rights. It is a new world, peopled by the young and the informed, educated, connected and aware, with memories of the past dealings between their corrupt and autocratic governments, financed and propped up by the USA and the West , who also championed, financed, protected, armed and defended the Israelis against the displaced, savaged and desperate Palestinians and also waged war against the Arab/Muslims.
Prestige and influence have been lost and the USA and the West are irrelevant, drifting and clueless. Speaking for democracy and human rights in Libya but not Bahrain (home ofthe Fifth Fleet), hesitant in the case of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, confused about Yemen( with which it has an alliance to fight al Qaeda), fearful of angering the Saudis with their oil abundance, but quite adamant about Iran.
Coherence and consistency are replaced by confusion and flip-flops, and it all becomes meaningless. In the meantime history marches on in the Middle East. From Algeria to Libya to Yemen, a people's revolution inflames, and they want no outside help, other than humanitarian aid and the evacuation of foreigners. It is their revolution and they do not want it to be contaminated, do not want to be beholden to the "corrupt and rapacious West".
Israel shudders and China (with no history in the area) awaits. It will be the biggest winner.
Prestige and influence have been lost and the USA and the West are irrelevant, drifting and clueless. Speaking for democracy and human rights in Libya but not Bahrain (home ofthe Fifth Fleet), hesitant in the case of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, confused about Yemen( with which it has an alliance to fight al Qaeda), fearful of angering the Saudis with their oil abundance, but quite adamant about Iran.
Coherence and consistency are replaced by confusion and flip-flops, and it all becomes meaningless. In the meantime history marches on in the Middle East. From Algeria to Libya to Yemen, a people's revolution inflames, and they want no outside help, other than humanitarian aid and the evacuation of foreigners. It is their revolution and they do not want it to be contaminated, do not want to be beholden to the "corrupt and rapacious West".
Israel shudders and China (with no history in the area) awaits. It will be the biggest winner.
