Suez's lesson (David Frum on Middle-East mistakes of 50 years ago)

National Post - Canada ^ | Saturday, July 29, 2006 | David Frum

[Fiji Hill]

One might recall that in the 1950's, conservatives were not united behind Israel, as they are today. For example, Human Events, the influential weekly whose editor, Frank Hannighen, was a longstanding opponent of Israel, denounced the invasion. And in her book Will the Middle East Go West? (Regnery, 1957), Freda Utley, an influential conservative writer from England, called upon the West to get behind Nasser.

[thundrey]

Ping!

[Peter Libra]

An interesting read. Food for thought.

I had lead off previously on the subject of the Suez Canal. I have done some homework since. I had it that there was a "100 year treaty". Actually the Suez Canal Company had a guaranteed lease for 99 years, from the 1869 grand opening of the Canal. Of course that was broken in 1956.

I find, what seems to me anyway, a curious parallel with the attitude of the likes of General Nasser, with certain "minorities". I have observed people in North America including Canada, fawning and complimenting a minority "spokesperson".

In most instances that "minority" person becomes more arrogant and more demanding. The would be sycophant then starts stammering apologies.

The First Nations people are an example. As we know, the demands get bigger and bigger. Ah, as to Dalton McGuinty, Ontario premier, what thanks has he got? (laughs).

[Tancred]

How about some other lessons from the Suez Crisis? Maybe Eisenhower thought allowing British & French intervention there would hurt the case the U.S. made against the U.S.S.R. when that Communist country tried its own interventions in other countries? Maybe it was also a recognition that the time for decolonization had come, and that the Egyptians, after their earlier subjection to colonial powers, felt they had a grievance against the West? I don't think we can ignore the background history of the Cold War and colonialism.

That said, there is truth to the observation that Frum & other posters have made about the differences between the Arab/Islamic mindset and the Western mindset, where the former displays arrogance, deceitfulness, and ingratitude at every opportunity. I am very thankful to be living in Western civilization.

[attiladhun2]

This expains the Intifada more than anything else. When Clinton (may doo-doo be upon him) invited Arafathead to the WH and Hillary embraced the first lady of PLO gangsterism, the Palestinians interpreted the gestures as an endorsment for the destruction of Israel. They envisioned a final terrorist jihad of thousands of suicide bombers from all over the Islamic world descending upon Israel. That it didn't happen that way speaks volumes about the Arab ability to believe in the feasibily of the most hair-brained of schemes. It also reveals their complete inability to admit the stupidity of previous empty promises and schemes. But Solomon said it 3,000 yrs ago--"Pride goes before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction." Arabs have haughty spirits in spades.

[Salem]

---

AMERICA AT WAR
At Salem the Soldier's Homepage ~
Honored member of FReeper Leapfrog's "Enemy of Islam" list.
Islam, a Religion of Peace®? Some links...  by backhoe
Translated Pre-War IRAQ Documents  by jveritas
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....  by PsyOp
One FReeper On The Line  by SNOWFLAKE
The Clash of Ideologies - A Review

"It's time we recognized the nature of the conflict. It's total war and we are all involved. Nobody on our side is exempted because of age, gender, or handicap. The Islamofacists have stolen childhood from the world." [FReeper Retief]

[Fair Go]

This is an excellent article. Muslim radicals won't give up until the West takes a stand. The pacifists are the enemies of peace.

[Mr. Silverback]

Bump for later reading.