Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Mid-East Transformation - 3 Views
It is very hard to deny that a major geopolitical transformation, from established tryanny to emerging democracy, is happening in the Mid-East. So let's take a look at two current perspectives from both sides of the Atlantic and one much older, but rather prescient, strategic view.
The Independent, a "leftish" British paper, has this Front Page News article that asks the question: "Was Bush Right after all?", noting that "As Syria pulls out of Lebanon, and the winds of change blow through the Middle East, this is the difficult question that opponents of the Iraq war are having to face." The author, Rupert Cornwell, then tries to marginalize the man while admitting the undeniable impact of his policies and actions. Foolishly, he tries to equate the current events in the Mid-East to some recent Bush pronouncements, rather than realizing these events are the results of a very determined 3 1/2 year foriegn policy, since Sept '01. Nevertheless, the article reflects a beginning ,in the European press, of reality recognition.
In this W eekly Standard article, Reuel Marc Gerecht exclaims: What Hath Ju-Ju Wrought! He not only gives a very positive answer to Mr. Cornwell's question; he raises the ante with his lead statement : “HAVE THE IRAQI ELECTIONS PRODUCED a democratic earthquake that has changed forever the fundamental political dynamics in the Muslim Middle East? Only the culturally deaf, dumb, and blind--for example, Michigan's Democratic senator Carl Levin--can't see what George W. Bush's war against Saddam Hussein has wrought. The issue is not whether the basic understanding of contemporary Muslim political legitimacy has been overturned--it has--but how forcefully the regimes in place will resist the growing Muslim democratic ethic.” He goes on to discuss the situation and prospects in seven Mid-East nations.
In mid-2003, Steven Den Beste wrote this in his Blog: USS Clueless - Strategic Overview . It's an extremely good overview of the Mid-East situation leading up the Iraq War, the international politics of engagement, and the implications for the future. With almost 2 years of hindsight, his future assessments seem very much on target. He argued correctly that the greatest danger was that the US would lose heart and withdraw. Fortunately, that danger was overcome in the November 2004 election. That events have moved so quickly and positively since then seems good evidence that others also saw Bush's re-election as a solid indicator of the American People's resolve and, hence, as the key tipping point.
I think it certain that these events are moving the world in the direction of greater freedom and safety; but the endgame is still in play and tryanny will not concede gently. Our national resolve, will, and leadership remain the essential ingredients to a successful outcome. We are living in interesting times.
The Independent, a "leftish" British paper, has this Front Page News article that asks the question: "Was Bush Right after all?", noting that "As Syria pulls out of Lebanon, and the winds of change blow through the Middle East, this is the difficult question that opponents of the Iraq war are having to face." The author, Rupert Cornwell, then tries to marginalize the man while admitting the undeniable impact of his policies and actions. Foolishly, he tries to equate the current events in the Mid-East to some recent Bush pronouncements, rather than realizing these events are the results of a very determined 3 1/2 year foriegn policy, since Sept '01. Nevertheless, the article reflects a beginning ,in the European press, of reality recognition.
In this W eekly Standard article, Reuel Marc Gerecht exclaims: What Hath Ju-Ju Wrought! He not only gives a very positive answer to Mr. Cornwell's question; he raises the ante with his lead statement : “HAVE THE IRAQI ELECTIONS PRODUCED a democratic earthquake that has changed forever the fundamental political dynamics in the Muslim Middle East? Only the culturally deaf, dumb, and blind--for example, Michigan's Democratic senator Carl Levin--can't see what George W. Bush's war against Saddam Hussein has wrought. The issue is not whether the basic understanding of contemporary Muslim political legitimacy has been overturned--it has--but how forcefully the regimes in place will resist the growing Muslim democratic ethic.” He goes on to discuss the situation and prospects in seven Mid-East nations.
In mid-2003, Steven Den Beste wrote this in his Blog: USS Clueless - Strategic Overview . It's an extremely good overview of the Mid-East situation leading up the Iraq War, the international politics of engagement, and the implications for the future. With almost 2 years of hindsight, his future assessments seem very much on target. He argued correctly that the greatest danger was that the US would lose heart and withdraw. Fortunately, that danger was overcome in the November 2004 election. That events have moved so quickly and positively since then seems good evidence that others also saw Bush's re-election as a solid indicator of the American People's resolve and, hence, as the key tipping point.
I think it certain that these events are moving the world in the direction of greater freedom and safety; but the endgame is still in play and tryanny will not concede gently. Our national resolve, will, and leadership remain the essential ingredients to a successful outcome. We are living in interesting times.
