You know I have been bewildered as to why the US has decided to intervene in the 1500 year civil war in Islam between the Sunnis and Shias and back the wrong side.
I have been unable for the life of me to understand why in the scenario where a relatively (these things are all relative in that region) advanced nation like Iran (and to a lesser extent Syria) - which allows women to vote, to get an education, to leave their homes unaccompanied, and which tolerates Christians and Jews - is pitted against a barbarian, medieval, savagely intolerant desert kingdom like Saudi Arabia, the US and its allies backs the Saudis.
Iran hasn’t threatened US interests in almost forty years whereas a bunch of Saudis immolated a large section of downtown Manhattan in 2001 and yet Saudi Arabia “is our good friend”. Why?
I assumed this was all to do with money and that the Saudis simply bankrolled western politicians, but I think I may have grasped the underlying reason.
It’s Israel isn’t it? No this isn’t Jew-baiting, I ask the question in a spirit of genuine curiosity.
For Israel my enemy’s enemy is my friend, and Israel’s enemies have always been the same as those of Saudi Arabia (and Turkey). Israel has no real quarrel with Saudi Arabia or Turkey but has had a long history with Assad’s Syria, Saddam’s Iraq and the ayatollah’s Iran, precisely the same enemies as Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The Saudis hate Shias and other heretics more than they do the Jews.
I have the greatest of respect for Israel, they have achieved magnificent successes and long may they prosper but I think it is dangerous for the US to simply adopt Israel’s regional real-politik strategy as official US foreign policy.
I really think the US needs to look again at where this mess is taking it.
It is more complex than that. It really is between fundamentalism and a more modern version of Islam. It is for the soul of the religion. Right now the fundamentalists are winning.
I have been unable for the life of me to understand why in the scenario where a relatively (these things are all relative in that region) advanced nation like Iran (and to a lesser extent Syria) - which allows women to vote, to get an education, to leave their homes unaccompanied, and which tolerates Christians and Jews
That is the old Iran before Khomeini took over and made Iran into a radical Islamic state. I saw the change firsthand in Iran when Khomeini came in the country in February 1979. The change was overnight. Iran is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism. Sharia law is rigidly enforced.
is pitted against a barbarian, medieval, savagely intolerant desert kingdom like Saudi Arabia, the US and its allies backs the Saudis. Iran hasn’t threatened US interests in almost forty years whereas a bunch of Saudis immolated a large section of downtown Manhattan in 2001 and yet Saudi Arabia “is our good friendâ€. Why?
I beg to differ. Iran is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism. They blew up Khobar Towers. They are funding Hamas and Hezbollah. They have supplied weapons to the Iraqis who have killed Americans.
AQ blew up the WTC. They weren't being funded by the Saudi government. Most of the 9/11 attackers were Saudis, but they were enemies of the state. AQ has attacked the Saudi government and Saudi citizens along with foreigners in the Kingdom.
For Israel my enemy’s enemy is my friend, and Israel’s enemies have always been the same as those of Saudi Arabia (and Turkey). Israel has no real quarrel with Saudi Arabia or Turkey but has had a long history with Assad’s Syria, Saddam’s Iraq and the ayatollah’s Iran, precisely the same enemies as Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The Saudis hate Shias and other heretics more than they do the Jews.
Basically true. The Saudis hate and fear the Iranians the most. There is a large Shi'a population in the Eastern provinces. About 10% of the Saudi population is shi'a.
I have the greatest of respect for Israel, they have achieved magnificent successes and long may they prosper but I think it is dangerous for the US to simply adopt Israel’s regional real-politik strategy as official US foreign policy. I really think the US needs to look again at where this mess is taking it.
You can't unring a bell. Israel is there to stay. They are the only democracy in the Middle East and share our values. Certainly, Israel's interests alone should not guide our foreign policy. But we do have strong political and cultural ties. I hope you are not suggesting we abandon them.