[HassanBenSobar]

Wouldn't that be nice? I suspect that, more likely, any changes will resemble 'meet the new boss, same as the old boss'.

Sorry, but the more I learn about the arab world, the more the phrase 'basket case' leaps to mind.

[Torie]

What is interesting about this piece is the comment that the armies were made up of somewhat estranged ethnic minorities under colonial rule, who obviously were hostile to indiginous majority rule. I had not fathomed that before. It explains a lot which subsequently transpired, if true. It is a recipe for disaster in civil governance.

[lainde]

Excellent historical perspective. What a hellhole...And we're losing a soldier a day....

[truth_seeker]

"The Arab Middle East is one of the few parts of the world as yet untouched by the wave of democratization that eventually swept away the Soviet empire and numerous dictatorships in the Third World."

In a nutshell, it remains to be proved to me these folks have the moral basis, for any kind of democratic "peoples' revolt."

The price for freedom is high, and there is scant evidence the cultures and dominant religion offer any reason for optimism.

A military coup, followed by an orderly progression to western style secular democracy looks like the best prospect.

It gets played up that a solution of the palistinian situation will help matters. But I see the problems being far, far greater.

Islam is much more the problem, and not a solution. These are folks who are at the same time cowardly, yet violent.

Willing to die for the wrong reasons, and unwilling to die for the right reason (freedom).

[AdmSmith]

Thanks Pokey78 for posting this very interesting article about many forgotten items.

[GatekeeperBookman]

I was thinking all this week, maybe Mr. Bush is actually fighting the NEXT war via manipulation of the larger Middle East. It was suggested before the Iraq Attack that he ( & his advisors ) were working to turn all the tyrannies there on their heads.

The military folks are always accused of fighting the last war-maybe the Administration has tried to use that criticism & has worked out a larger plan. Hope it becomes reality.

[johniegrad]

These are the kinds of articles I come to FR for. Thanks for posting. I learned from it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Bookmarked!

[RightWhale]

Too many words; this should be easy: the Gap must be reduced. When the Gap is reduced to little but desert and inconsequential rulers of desert regions, the Core will be free to develop without the constant expense of maintaining security in the presently large Gap regions.