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THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION
Of course, no one knows for sure but it is widely believed that life on earth got its fragile start some where in the middle east. That area has always had a tumultuous history since then. War and threats of war have been common place. The map has been drawn and redrawn many times over the centuries as well as the peoples that have lived and ruled there.
According to the Bible somewhere in that particular piece of dirt (or in this case sand) is where the final battle or Armageddon will take place. Now it really doesn’t matter to me if you believe in the Bible or Not (I happen to subscribe to its account of the ending days). The fact of the matter is that this region is a hot bed of violent activity, hatred, and long (and I mean long) standing feuds. Even the most casual observer recognizes this part of the globe as being extremely volatile.
The entire region has polarized itself against Israel, against each other, and against varying religious and political sects. The political landscape has long been littered with egotistical and fanatical leaders. The hatred that permeates the populace is strong and deeply imbedded into the culture of the people. It is some ubiquitous it is almost hereditary. Fathers hands down the venom to sons and the dogma is almost half the curriculum of the schools and madras’s.
The United States has attempted to intervene in the area and while our actions have done some good, the interventions have not endeared us to the people there; in fact many learned to hate “the Great Satin”. We currently have a large military presence in the area with no plans to exit the theatre at this time (despite the political promises of our leaders). Rest assured we have many new battles we will fight in those deserts.
Of course I would hope and pray for a political or diplomatic solution to the unrest in that part of the world, but in truth I don’t believe that will be our destiny. I’m not a war hawk, just a realist, and we can not reverse what has been set into action so many thousands of years ago.
Trouble is brewing, with much of it centered around the hatred of the Jews. Again, this is more than a passing conflict; this is a cultural divide between two peoples. Israel has used some restraint but the tome will come where she must defend herself with all its might and fury. I believe that time is eminent.
Once a full scale war is engaged in by Israel, the area will be further polarized with leaders and nations forced to take sides. Some of the alliances may be temporary and quite strained but governments will gravitate towards religious and cultural bonds. Of course the U.S. would have to side with Israel as one of our true friends and democracies in the region.
Watching from afar one can see the entire region inching towards one painful yet inevitable conclusion. The dynamics of the region coupled with the religious and political aspirations of the leaders make the march to violence hard to defuse.
I see ongoing issues in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, (and all the other little stans) Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, India, and Africa (not to mention Korea), and maybe most importantly a nuclear Iran. Sure we can act as a buffer and agent of peace, but there are also a thousand political landmines between us and our objective, waiting to draw us in deeper into each of the conflicts.
Although each of these countries and regions is autonomous and has there own agenda and set of priorities, I maintain that they are all inextricably tied together in the security of the region. Each country is like so much dry kindling, that if ignited by the smallest spark, can throw the whole region into flames. Adjoining countries like Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon would be quick to choose sides, and possibly along ancient allegiances.
I the short term I’m concerned about Israel attacking the nuclear facilities in Iran, (which I believe is a matter of national security for them and unavoidable and Iran counterattacking the Israelis’. Every one knows the stakes have been raised now that all the boys have joined the exclusive “we’ve got the bomb” club. I also worry about the threat posed by the rouges that could soon take over Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. (Along with that fragile government)
As for us, I think we need to realize that we can’t protect everyone and we can’t fight 3 separate wars at once (and hope to win any). Like the other players we better push for peace and choose our battles wisely. We can hope for the best, but we better plan for the worst.
In mind, it would be naive to think that any one of these conflicts, if allowed to fester wouldn’t have global implications. (and of biblical proportions) It’s a lot to plan for and worry about, but the issues that fuel the hatred and discontent in that part of the world will not go away by themselves. Could it be fate or mere coincidence, that the part of the world that was the cradle of civilization could also hold the seeds of our ultimate battle?
Also: see my previous article: “The War that no one wants”
Please feel free to contact me at: pooritalianboy@gmail.com
P.I.B.
Of course, no one knows for sure but it is widely believed that life on earth got its fragile start some where in the middle east. That area has always had a tumultuous history since then. War and threats of war have been common place. The map has been drawn and redrawn many times over the centuries as well as the peoples that have lived and ruled there.
According to the Bible somewhere in that particular piece of dirt (or in this case sand) is where the final battle or Armageddon will take place. Now it really doesn’t matter to me if you believe in the Bible or Not (I happen to subscribe to its account of the ending days). The fact of the matter is that this region is a hot bed of violent activity, hatred, and long (and I mean long) standing feuds. Even the most casual observer recognizes this part of the globe as being extremely volatile.
The entire region has polarized itself against Israel, against each other, and against varying religious and political sects. The political landscape has long been littered with egotistical and fanatical leaders. The hatred that permeates the populace is strong and deeply imbedded into the culture of the people. It is some ubiquitous it is almost hereditary. Fathers hands down the venom to sons and the dogma is almost half the curriculum of the schools and madras’s.
The United States has attempted to intervene in the area and while our actions have done some good, the interventions have not endeared us to the people there; in fact many learned to hate “the Great Satin”. We currently have a large military presence in the area with no plans to exit the theatre at this time (despite the political promises of our leaders). Rest assured we have many new battles we will fight in those deserts.
Of course I would hope and pray for a political or diplomatic solution to the unrest in that part of the world, but in truth I don’t believe that will be our destiny. I’m not a war hawk, just a realist, and we can not reverse what has been set into action so many thousands of years ago.
Trouble is brewing, with much of it centered around the hatred of the Jews. Again, this is more than a passing conflict; this is a cultural divide between two peoples. Israel has used some restraint but the tome will come where she must defend herself with all its might and fury. I believe that time is eminent.
Once a full scale war is engaged in by Israel, the area will be further polarized with leaders and nations forced to take sides. Some of the alliances may be temporary and quite strained but governments will gravitate towards religious and cultural bonds. Of course the U.S. would have to side with Israel as one of our true friends and democracies in the region.
Watching from afar one can see the entire region inching towards one painful yet inevitable conclusion. The dynamics of the region coupled with the religious and political aspirations of the leaders make the march to violence hard to defuse.
I see ongoing issues in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, (and all the other little stans) Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, India, and Africa (not to mention Korea), and maybe most importantly a nuclear Iran. Sure we can act as a buffer and agent of peace, but there are also a thousand political landmines between us and our objective, waiting to draw us in deeper into each of the conflicts.
Although each of these countries and regions is autonomous and has there own agenda and set of priorities, I maintain that they are all inextricably tied together in the security of the region. Each country is like so much dry kindling, that if ignited by the smallest spark, can throw the whole region into flames. Adjoining countries like Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon would be quick to choose sides, and possibly along ancient allegiances.
I the short term I’m concerned about Israel attacking the nuclear facilities in Iran, (which I believe is a matter of national security for them and unavoidable and Iran counterattacking the Israelis’. Every one knows the stakes have been raised now that all the boys have joined the exclusive “we’ve got the bomb” club. I also worry about the threat posed by the rouges that could soon take over Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. (Along with that fragile government)
As for us, I think we need to realize that we can’t protect everyone and we can’t fight 3 separate wars at once (and hope to win any). Like the other players we better push for peace and choose our battles wisely. We can hope for the best, but we better plan for the worst.
In mind, it would be naive to think that any one of these conflicts, if allowed to fester wouldn’t have global implications. (and of biblical proportions) It’s a lot to plan for and worry about, but the issues that fuel the hatred and discontent in that part of the world will not go away by themselves. Could it be fate or mere coincidence, that the part of the world that was the cradle of civilization could also hold the seeds of our ultimate battle?
Also: see my previous article: “The War that no one wants”
Please feel free to contact me at: pooritalianboy@gmail.com
P.I.B.
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