[Justa]

Most Westerners, and FReepers in particular, have little to no understanding of the Arab mindset or values. Not saying they’re bigots or ignorant. They just don’t know because they live within a civilized culture and nation and project their own biases upon the rest of the world because that’s all they know.

They do not understand history or dynamic borders where backing away from an aggressor is not only an admission of weakness but an admission of being in the wrong. It incites more frequent and fervent attacks. The attacker not only believes in his strength but in his right to attack and the defenders indefensible position.

This is nothing new. Anyone who’s studied American Colonial history recognizes the Israeli-Arab conflict from early settlers’ dealings with native Americans. Walls were imperative and any sign of weakness invited attack as in “if you cannot defend your territory and towns we will take them from you as you have no right to them.”

This has been the way of the world from the dawn of time until all but the last few decades.

[Zhang Fei]

[Most Westerners, and FReepers in particular, have little to no understanding of the Arab mindset or values. Not saying they’re bigots or ignorant. They just don’t know because they live within a civilized culture and nation and project their own biases upon the rest of the world because that’s all they know.

They do not understand history or dynamic borders where backing away from an aggressor is not only an admission of weakness but an admission of being in the wrong. It incites more frequent and fervent attacks. The attacker not only believes in his strength but in his right to attack and the defenders indefensible position.

This is nothing new. Anyone who’s studied American Colonial history recognizes the Israeli-Arab conflict from early settlers’ dealings with native Americans. Walls were imperative and any sign of weakness invited attack as in “if you cannot defend your territory and towns we will take them from you as you have no right to them.”

This has been the way of the world from the dawn of time until all but the last few decades.]

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Indeed. I don’t think it’s just Arabs. Countries not part of the Anglo-American world pay lip service to its view that borders are settled, and that territorial expansion for personal or national glory are passe. But only the Anglo-American realm truly views this principle as holy writ. I wouldn’t be surprised if the day Uncle Sam pulls his horns in and finally kiboshes the ocean-going fleets, various countries begin probing their neighbors in force. And not just the obvious candidates like China and Russia. India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, et al - all have very traditional ambitions that go way beyond their borders.