The conditions that led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire likewise existed for many, many years -- for over a century -- before the freezing, moonlit night in December, 405, when five invasion columns of something like a quarter of a million Germans crossed the frozen Rhine and turned one of history's pages.
They crossed in a coordinated fashion. That was what defeated the Roman defense strategies of the previous 200 years and more, going back to Marcus Aurelius. The field armies of flying columns of heavy, cataphractary cavalry organized by Gallienus in the 260's could beat down one irruption after another, and serially beat down two or three -- but not five, if they were coordinated. And they were. Four years later, Honorius recalled his troops from Britain to help, but it wasn't enough. It was Game Over for the West.
For a strategy like that to succeed, someone has to give a signal when the time is right. Obama dropped the handkerchief by signalling to the MB that the United States would not give substantial practical help to the Egyptians, Bahrainis, and Yemenis.
Initially, he was not calling for the removal of Mubarak. In fact, the envoy he sent to Mubarak, Frank Wisner, urged Mubarak to finish his term....
That's what he told them -- it's called dissembling. Easy for a lifelong dissembler, and well-understood throughout the Middle East. It's just that a U.S. President hasn't done that before. Not to America's friends.
Exactly what "substantial practical help" could we have offered the dictators that run those countries?
That's what he told them -- it's called dissembling. Easy for a lifelong dissembler, and well-understood throughout the Middle East. It's just that a U.S. President hasn't done that before. Not to America's friends.
We have tossed "our friends" under the bus before. Remember the Shah or Batista or a host of other tyrants and dictators we have had to deal with. Nations don't have "friends," just strategic national interests.