Tingog.com

I love talking about international politics. And certainly there are heated debates going on in dining rooms all over the world, on what should happen in the Middle East, and who’s fault is it anyways.

A lot of individuals will always try to put a simple solution on the table, but I have to tell you, it’s never really that simple. Specially for a region that has seen so many decades of instability, and frankly… War.

In a recent blog post by Manuel L. Quezon 3 that I like to peruse now and then, I made a comment that seemed to stir up another reader. So much so that it started a brief but heated debate on the situation in The Middle East. For most Filipinos, this probably wouldn’t be so interesting. But for many political junkies such as myself, it’s always a nice chance to see the views and opinions of other Filipinos.

Here’s how it went:

MLQ3:

American media is at odds with American officialdom as Iraq’s increasingly, and bluntly, reported as being in the grips of a civil war.

Carl:

I sometimes wonder if American officials are really all that worried or upset about a civil war in Iraq. The U.S. government has become such a tool of Zionist interests that Israel is priority No. 1 at all costs, never mind if the rest of the world goes to hell.

It is to Israel’s interest that Muslims kill off each other. Better that Muslims train their weapons on each other than to have them aimed at Israel. It is the classic divide and rule tactic. Until the Sunni and the Shia Muslims, Fatah and Hamas, the Arab, the Farsi, the Berber, the Turk or the Pakistani Muslims figure that out, the Americans and the Zionists will continue having their way.

While on the surface the Iraqi invasion seems like an American miscalculation, I wonder if there was method in this ostensibly mad decision?

Me:

Carl, It’s not only in America’s interest that Israel is priority no.1, but I think it’s the interest of the entire Middle East. Make no mistake, a lot of the things that have happened and are continuing to take place is a result of the instability that Israel brings to the entire Middle East. Although American Media will cover Iraq 24/7, the number one priority is Israel and Palestine. It always has been.

The Jordanian President echoes this sentiment in a recent ABC interview last Saturday morning.

But, certainly, without a doubt, Israel has total support from The U.S. and this is still one of the main reasons that Diplomacy with other Arab nations seem to always end with no real resolutions.

Then Jeg quotes me on this:

a lot of the things that have happened and are continuing to take place is a result of the instability that Israel brings to the entire Middle East

So, Jeg responds with the following:

By simply being there? Sure if Israel were pushed to the sea, the Middle East would be a lot more peaceful. Is this what you would recommend for the sake of stability? The instability is caused by the denial of Israel and Palestine’s right to exist. Israel already has taken steps toward a Palestinian homeland. It’s up to the other side to reciprocate.

Me:

Jeg, It’s not that I’m denying Israel their right to exist in The Middle East. I’m just stating a fact. Israel and Palestine is the main source of conflict.

The entire middle east has never fully accepted the displacement of land after World War 2, to make room for a Jewish Nation.

And existing conflict is fueled by the U.S’ support for Israel, and Iran and Syria’s support against.

I know it’s not as simple as that. But, it just shows you that this is why this conflict has been going on for so long… it’s a conflict of ideals, culture, economics, and even real estate.

So, what was the conclusion of that discussion? Absolutely nothing came out of it. It was just hard enough defining the true state of The Middle East. There are so many key players, and if you try to concentrate all your efforts on only one of these players, then it will never be solved. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Syria… Just too many… If you think that one doesn’t have bearing on another then you are certainly living in a fantasy.

But, anyway, I think I held my own on this discussion. Because people often forget just how complicated this is. It’s not just about Iraq, it never really is.

As I said in my comment before.

it’s a conflict of ideals, culture, economics, and even real estate.

That’s it. Hope you enjoyed the debate.

tags: (none)