Arabs play a significant role, but the problem is vastly larger.Indeed. The problem is that the ones in the oil producing regions are Arab and the stumbling block has always been Israel. Iran and the Persians being the obvious exception. But their position is made more clear by the acts of the former Shah and our attention to that country.
Two points of contention bind them: They replaced Britain with us because we projected power in to the Persian Gulf. And because we are the largest consumer of oil from them and they know it.
The rest is academic.
Consider the ramifications of a runaway Islamic oligarchy which supports conflict from feudal interests to further the consolidation of power under a collectivist system such as OPEC. And then consider that interest faced with the future.
It makes the actions quite clear. Maintain the current system and check the wind. In this case the ME didn't see us backing up our words with deeds.
They're watching this as much as we're doing it. And they're not the only ones. China has enough information to keep enough analysts busy for a generation.
You're witnessing a realignment of global proportions. And in this case the bailout won't come from the federal government with its dubious anti-trust laws but rather from the force of actions.
This is an answer to Suez and the "energy crisis" with the added prospect of nailing terrorism. All it takes is presenting a losing picture to project thugs from the surrounding countries down to the valley of death.
This time we'll nail the fanatics while securing the eventual outcome that will rob the UN of its fat "oil for food" dollars while staving off the threat of the EU.
Call it an empire or call it colonialism but don't call it the Truman Doctrine. That dog won't hunt.
Taliban's Omar Issues Fresh Order to Wage 'Jihad' on U.S. Troops
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Amid stepped up attacks in Afghanistan, the Taliban's elusive leader Mullah Mohammed Omar has issued a fresh call for a holy war against U.S. troops and Afghans who work with them.
His latest decree, released in posters widely displayed in eastern Afghanistan, carries the signatures of 600 Islamic clerics reminding the faithful of their duty to wage jihad, or holy war.
"Whenever the non-Muslims attack a Muslim land it is the duty of everyone to raise against the aggressor," black-and-white poster reportedly written by Omar said.
"We were blamed for Usama bin Laden because they said he was a terrorist and he was taking shelter with us. But what is the fault of Iraq? Iraq has no Usama bin Laden in his country," it said....
The source of this call for jihad is not an Arab; the cause of his jihad is not Arab nationalism; Mullah Omar is calling all Muslims to jihad; and the object of his wrath is any non-Muslim who stands against Islam, not just America.
