I'll give you a chance to support your case for UAE: What was their response to 9/11?
By the way, do you believe that Arabs and Muslims are not bigoted towards Americans, Europeans and infidels?
Why, because we have acted as patriots, are we on the defensive about racism simply because we want our country to be safe and secure? Why these attacks on Americans on behalf of another nation?
Alliances are built on many things, dear Rokke, and are built over time not overnight. I also understand that favorable business deals are one of those building blocks, as in the controversial outsourcing of customer service to India. However, we also have democracy in common with India and, unlike the UAE, a majority of the populace admires the U.S.
UAE is a monarchy that follows Sharia law. I can see allying with such a nation -- if they concede to our security requirements -- in these times due to the overwhelming importance of the WOT; even so, how many concessions do WE make and how far do we go down the slippery slope of appeasement to islam in general?
Pre-WOT, what was the importance of our alliance with UAE? Please educate me, since I am at fault in "understanding" this.
The UAE was one of the first countries in the world to offer its condolences after 9/11. Every year on 9/11 it hosts a state ceremony outside the US Embassy in memory of the victims of 9/11. And it has been our strongest ally in the region since 9/11.
"By the way, do you believe that Arabs and Muslims are not bigoted towards Americans, Europeans and infidels?"
Yes, some are. Some aren't. But that is irrelevant. Some Arabs molest children. Does that entitle us to do the same?
"Alliances are built on many things, dear Rokke, and are built over time not overnight. "
Our alliance with the UAE stretches back to 1971. Only recently have we started to shift our relationship to India to one that might be considered "friendly"
"UAE is a monarchy that follows Sharia law."
It is not a monarchy. It is a federation. And the United States has never chosen its allies based on their legal system.
"Pre-WOT, what was the importance of our alliance with UAE? Please educate me, since I am at fault in "understanding" this."
The UAE occupies some of the most strategic territory on the face of the earth. Look at map and see if you can guess why. It sits at the gateway to the Persian Gulf. Its ports are among the best developed and most secure in one of the fastest growing economic regions on the planet. For many years prior to 9/11 it has been in the process of transforming its economy from being oil based to being a center or world trade and commerce. It is succeeding in that effort and has become the key trade center in Southwest Asia. Those are just a few of many reasons why our alliance with them has been and remains important.
The government that supports Yusuf al-Qaradawi, and al-Jazeera?
Rokke, should we allow that nation to have access to critical infrastructure within the United States, or conduits through which they can export terrorism?
Simply because they are an "ally" in the GWOT?