Seabee
02-04-2007, 07:00 AM
<TABLE id=article_edit cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=Heading>America-bashing has gone far enough
</TD></TR><TR><TD>By Khalaf Al Habtoor, Special to Gulf News
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
(This is about the middle of the article, but the most insightful part)
Fragile
So, like it or not, we need to cooperate with a friendly foreign power at least until such time as we are set-up militarily and technologically to stand on our own feet. Imperfect as it is, the US is the only superpower in town.
There are pretenders, countries that aim to muscle out the West and which are currently out to woo us. But their challenges are fragile and, in any case, their world view, ideologies and agendas are not ours.
To be painfully frank, if America and the West were to dump us we would soon be saying 'Come back, all is forgiven'.
If we no longer had the benefit of US satellites, for instance, our communications would be cut. If the West stopped supplying spare parts, our planes would be grounded; our hospital equipment left to rust.
Moreover if we work towards harming the US economy, in the end we will only be harming ourselves since our own economies are inter-related and inter-dependent and especially since our currencies are pegged with the dollar. I believe the time has come to stop the anti-Western rhetoric, and work with the West instead of against it.
With a sincere will, together we can strive towards a peaceful Iraq, which does not discriminate on sectarian lines. Together we can help Lebanon heal its war wounds and divisions. And together we can concentrate on bringing a Palestinian state to fruition.
This requires a massive change of heart on our side. We are hurt, rightly so, and it won't be easy but it's worth remembering this. In January 2009, the White House is due to receive new tenants. Whether these will be Republican or Democrat there will be a change in policy.
For Full Article: http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/world/10101631.html
Oh darn, looks like Old Hadji might start sweating that the Yankee dollar could leave one day. I would say this scenario is highly unlikely, but, some in the Arab business world seem to be taking notice.
If we leave what would be the ramifications? One would be no more money for terrorism. I would venture to think that most of the economic support these terrorist groups receive is from fundage acquired by legitimate states trading with the United States. This is not an admonishment against America, we cannot hold accountability for the spending of every cent by foreign governments.
The problem is any involvement with the Middle East is lose lose for the States. If we continue to trade we are labeled the "Great Satan." If we do not trade we are accused of trying to starve out their children and again we are the "Great Satan."So the great circle that is the Middle East ends at the only plausible solution that will solve all the problems, "Nukes."
</TD></TR><TR><TD>By Khalaf Al Habtoor, Special to Gulf News
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
(This is about the middle of the article, but the most insightful part)
Fragile
So, like it or not, we need to cooperate with a friendly foreign power at least until such time as we are set-up militarily and technologically to stand on our own feet. Imperfect as it is, the US is the only superpower in town.
There are pretenders, countries that aim to muscle out the West and which are currently out to woo us. But their challenges are fragile and, in any case, their world view, ideologies and agendas are not ours.
To be painfully frank, if America and the West were to dump us we would soon be saying 'Come back, all is forgiven'.
If we no longer had the benefit of US satellites, for instance, our communications would be cut. If the West stopped supplying spare parts, our planes would be grounded; our hospital equipment left to rust.
Moreover if we work towards harming the US economy, in the end we will only be harming ourselves since our own economies are inter-related and inter-dependent and especially since our currencies are pegged with the dollar. I believe the time has come to stop the anti-Western rhetoric, and work with the West instead of against it.
With a sincere will, together we can strive towards a peaceful Iraq, which does not discriminate on sectarian lines. Together we can help Lebanon heal its war wounds and divisions. And together we can concentrate on bringing a Palestinian state to fruition.
This requires a massive change of heart on our side. We are hurt, rightly so, and it won't be easy but it's worth remembering this. In January 2009, the White House is due to receive new tenants. Whether these will be Republican or Democrat there will be a change in policy.
For Full Article: http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/world/10101631.html
Oh darn, looks like Old Hadji might start sweating that the Yankee dollar could leave one day. I would say this scenario is highly unlikely, but, some in the Arab business world seem to be taking notice.
If we leave what would be the ramifications? One would be no more money for terrorism. I would venture to think that most of the economic support these terrorist groups receive is from fundage acquired by legitimate states trading with the United States. This is not an admonishment against America, we cannot hold accountability for the spending of every cent by foreign governments.
The problem is any involvement with the Middle East is lose lose for the States. If we continue to trade we are labeled the "Great Satan." If we do not trade we are accused of trying to starve out their children and again we are the "Great Satan."So the great circle that is the Middle East ends at the only plausible solution that will solve all the problems, "Nukes."