At The Roman Colosseum

As we agonize about all the various groups and tribes that might or might not emerge from the upheavals throughout the Middle East, we tend to lose sight of the central issue. What we are seeing is basically a food fight among the lions. Our interference in it essentially amounts to ‘the kiss of death’ for whichever side we are seen as favoring. Any fallout will be magnified exponentially should ‘our’ chosen party end up losing.

I’ve noticed that from the very beginning of what started with the so-called ‘Twitter revolution’, there has been virtually no mention of Israel; arguably, a nation that has the most to lose should things turn sour. Israel has remained largely silent while murder is raging all around it. This is because virtually any outcome can only serve to compromise Israel’s security further. Even regime change within its long-time nemesis, Syria, is fraught with danger for Israel which has over time amassed a great deal of data detailing the strength and weakness of the Assad regime. A new hand in Syria would represent the wiping clean of that slate.

The one issue uniting all the disparate factions of the Arab Street is its hatred for Israel. Even as we try to pick winners and do our best to demonstrate our support, the central conflict that puts us at odds with the Ummah is not apt to go away. Our status, even if we should get lucky and pick a winner, will not be enhanced as long as we claim to support Israel (which we don’t). The barb remains: We have supported Israel in the past. That alone condemns us in Arab eyes.

The only way to redeem ourselves (again, as far as Arabs are concerned) is to bomb Israel ourselves, which is not yet politically possible. And although we have done everything just short of that, it has not been enough to convince the ‘Arab Street’. Besides, it will still be advantageous for them to maintain an adversarial relationship with us for purposes of cohesion.

Oil has already been jettisoned as an incentive for good relations between us. Indeed, we have gone to great lengths to show that we are no longer interested. As such, Arab oil will be flowing primarily to the east. This theme has further crystallized in the willingness of Mahmoud Abbas to forego U.S. aid entirely in favor of unifying the factions under his supposed control.

What we are watching unfold in the Middle East will never touch us directly. For us, any outcome is as good as any other. Israel, on the other hand, is not so lucky. Any outcome for them is likely to be dire. The status quo was the best they could ever have hoped for. It’s crunch time for Israel. She will soon have to decide whether or not to stand and fight to defend her modern-day version of the Alamo.

http://pkoelliker.blogspot.com/

Tehran Won't Have to Lift a Finger

Even Israel’s ‘friends’ are now blaming Israel for what happened. It’s spirit broken, Israel is even blaming itself. The whole thing amounted to a huge victory for Israel’s enemies. It reminds us of how during the Iraq war every suicide attack – every death - was blamed on the U.S. At home, Democrats made sure that every American casualty accrued to Bush personally. The networks made it their business to keep a careful daily count. It is a tactic that makes it impossible for an enemy to lose.

In America, there were huge consequences. It is what brought Barack Hussein Obama - an avowed vocal critic of western values - to power. It inspired the re-write of history. It helped create a core of opposition to everything American within America itself.

In Israel, the tactic succeeds in isolating the country and making it into a pariah state. Israel is now primed for a huge military defeat. It can do nothing to help itself. Like a rat in a corner it can only bite a finger or two in anticipation of the final blow. Facts no longer matter. Nobody will ride to Israel’s rescue amidst the cheering of the bloodthirsty crowd.

Erdogan knows this. He is determined to save his nation. He will not allow himself to be caught on the losing side. His actions are designed to ingratiate himself to the Ummah. For far too long Ankara has been playing footsie with Europe to no avail. Turkey has watched both Europe and America fading in power and influence. He knows that the center of the western-style secular state has been hollowed out and cannot hold. In order for his own nation to survive, it became essential that it forge links with the strong men of the world. Currently, Tehran and Brasilia look strong.

For Turkey’s past association with the West to be forgiven, Ankara must bring something to the table. Israel is the scalp Turkey is hoping to deliver to Ahmadinejad, the Kurtz of the Middle East. Obama has been trying to do the same. As America’s influence continues to erode, you will see every nation comprising the Ummah and beyond coming forward to enthusiastically participate in this project. Tehran will not have to lift a finger.

Packing It In

It is no secret that Obama wants out of the Middle East. It’s now just a matter of face saving. Politically, our adventures there have already run their course. There are no more political gains to be had by continuing. All the talk about Taliban held territory not being used to attack the U.S. mainland is just that. They wouldn’t be capable of doing it anyway. This doesn’t mean that we could now let our guard down and open Club Meds all over the Tora Bora. As long as Israel exists, the Middle East in general will remain a tinderbox.

The campaign to demonize and eventually to allow Israel to be overrun is already well underway. It is hoped that by giving the Arabs this victory, a lasting ‘peace’ will return to the region. There are signs that the Obama administration believes this too. It fails to take into account, however, that there are other rivalries in place and brewing within the Ummah itself that will keep the region unhinged for centuries to come. The point is that we will no longer be involved. Neither will our dependence on oil become an issue as, it is believed, we can just as easily buy what we need on the open market; from Russia or China who presumably will step into the vacuum.

As the nations of the world continue to give in to Arab demands, Israel will find itself increasingly alone and isolated. She will be pushed into the sea. Such will be the price of our profound indifference. It remains to be seen how history will judge us. Will we be able to live with our consciences so bruised beyond repair? Perhaps, in a generation or two when a conscienceless new order emerges from the ruins of the old - one, blissfully ignorant of the past - people will ask themselves how a race of men so disfigured and scarred can still be counted among the living; how it is possible for wounds, still bleeding so profusely, to no longer hurt.

If John McCain Would Be President Now

The narrative of America as exploiter and oppressor is as much a myth as ‘global warming’ ever was. It has worked so effectively for America’s enemies that even with palpable proof to the contrary, they are loath to let it go lest America’s convenient standing as global pariah be diminished in any way.

We now see a concerted effort by the Ummah, Venezuela and others to attack America’s motives in its humanitarian effort in Haiti. It is and will be a difficult task for months to come and, as the days drag on, it will only get more difficult. Every set-back will be noted and broadcast widely and laden with blame; every triumph will be marginalized. The same strategy was in play during the Bush administration. In the end, we can expect either to be sued by Haiti’s earthquake survivors for gross malfeasance, or face trial for war crimes in The Hague. (By the way, is it true that the marines’ guns in Haiti aren’t loaded?)

As most anti-American rhetoric originates in America itself, where it is scripted and disseminated by highly organized Leftist groups (concentrated primarily in academia, unions, and the media), we will thankfully be able to avoid the worst of it thanks to our current president. Even the most rabid America haters find themselves painfully divided. On one hand they see Barack Hussein Obama as their best hope of bringing this once great country to its bloody and shattered knees; on the other, they are an impatient lot, wondering what is taking him so long.

Just a thought: What do you think would happen if Rush Limbaugh went on air today and openly called for the people of Massachusetts to commit election fraud? I’d expect he would not be doing his show tomorrow. And it would be right. Yet, the Left in this country can get away with anything. We’ve become immune to its outrages. We no longer hold them to account. We dismiss even criminality when anyone of the card-carrying Left is involved. Go down the list and see how often it’s happened. You think mere lies about our soldiers in Haiti (and elsewhere) and their reason for being there would draw condemnation from anyone? Just imagine what would have been said if John McCain would be president now!