A good read in reference to the Middle East

[ygsmilo]

http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1313851

[2Slow]

Interesting read.

[Eagler]

yep, always give them a choice ..

join modern society or become a parking lot

[Maverick]

I find it ironic that the "muslim" or "arab" world doesn't like the US after 9/11. I suppose they think that 9/11 was going to make us fall head over heels in love with them?!?!?!

Don't they realize that an unprovoked attack, against civilians would do just the oposite? If not, they are sadly mistaken. Personally I don't give a damn if they like us. I do expect them to work and operate in a "civilized" manner. If they don't, they should not be surprised at the response their barbarism gains them.

I have seem numerous writings indicating this is a "islamic" war. The only ones claiming that are the islamics themselves. Even a cursory look at the propaganda being spewed by Iraq and other arab nations shows this. It seems they figure if they declare an "islamic" war we should just roll over and surrender. Forget that. They wanted, and did declare, a war they should be prepared to accept the consequences. Those consequences will be both military and economic in origin.

Frankly I look at the bleatings I have seem about this issue and look at it in much the same as a whine about chute shooting in the game. Mere noise. No I am not "PC". I find 9/11 to be very un"PC".

[Ripsnort]

Very good reading Milo.

Interesting article

“Violence”, argues Gilles Kepel, a professor at the Institute for
                   Political Studies in Paris, “has proven to be a death trap for
                   Islamists as a whole, precluding any capacity to hold and mobilise
                   the range of constituencies they need to seize political power.”
                   Arabs are no fools. The violence and audacity of September 11th
                   may have captured the imagination of many of them. Far fewer
                   believe that waging war on America and turning their back on
                   modernity is a cure for their desperate problems at home.

[ygsmilo]

Yes Rip,,,,

This is the part of the artical that caught my eye.

In Afghanistan, American technology soon dismantled the enemy's will to fight. And there is plenty of evidence from the Gulf war that the will of many Iraqis to fight for Mr Hussein has limits. Most of his soldiers surrendered at the first opportunity. Many of his civilians then tried to overthrow him. Abandoned by America, at the behest of Saudi Arabia, their uprising was crushed. The subsequent repression has not diminished their loathing of the man.