There will be, from time to time, guests who will contribute to this blog. It could turn into a symposium eventually. I know so many people who are passionate about this country and our world, and I think they would enjoy a voice, even if it is just amongst friends.
Just mulling some ideas around for my 3 readers (myself included).
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
FreedomFest 2011?
Today AP reported King Abdullah II fired his entire cabinet as protesters take to the streets in Jordan. It’s amazing that this is happening. How long have these people, the middle east at large, lived under autocracy and despotism? Even more curious is that Egypt and Jordan are, or were, very stable countries. Not wrapped up in the conflict or intrigues of the region at large. Tunisia, Egypt and now Jordan. Curious indeed.
I just have to wonder if President Bush’s much maligned freedom prognostication has really taken effect. That philosophy was not rooted in regime change, but paradigm change. The idea that all people long to be free of the authoritarian shackles. Who would have thought we would be seeing this wave of popular uprising?
I hope these revolutions stay peaceful and lead to democracy and freedom. However, we saw the Cedar revolt in Lebanon be co-opted by Hezbollah, will these popular uprising lead to Islamist control? Time will tell.
I just have to wonder if President Bush’s much maligned freedom prognostication has really taken effect. That philosophy was not rooted in regime change, but paradigm change. The idea that all people long to be free of the authoritarian shackles. Who would have thought we would be seeing this wave of popular uprising?
I hope these revolutions stay peaceful and lead to democracy and freedom. However, we saw the Cedar revolt in Lebanon be co-opted by Hezbollah, will these popular uprising lead to Islamist control? Time will tell.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thoughts on Egypt
It seems like every pundit is now an expert on Egypt and the Middle East at large. I am not. That said I do have some opinions on events there.
I belive that all people have the right to self determine their government. The people of Egypt are rising againt Mubarak, who is without doubt a dictator. Is he in the vein on Stalin, Mao or the Ayatollah? I dont think so. There is repression, but not as great as some of the worst regimes. Still any repression is unacceptable. However the overarching geopolitical picture must be taken into account. Egypt is a strong ally, and a key player in the region.
The worst scenario seems to be if the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) takes control. We could see another Iran emerge from this. And if the people of Egypt think Ole' Hoshni is bad wait untill you have an Islamist governement. Will a new Islamist goverment support the peace treaty with Israel? The MB assasinated Anwar Sadat for signing it in the first place. How will Israel respond to a new extreme government on their southern border? How will the Suez Canal be handled? We see Iran play games with the Straight of Hormuz every few months.
We see recent reports that the military will not attack the protesters, which will probably sound the death knell for Mubarak. I only hope the Military is up to the task of keeping order and transitioning to a new government. I hope someone can channel the spirit of Kemal Ataturk and model a new country on the principals of Turkey, a secular democracy; which was until a few years ago a bastion in the Muslim world before Erdogan ruined the place. If they can't secure this transition, or if the International community does not support the reformers and allows them to fall as it did in Iran after the deposition of the Shaw, the country could very well fall into the hands of the extremists. If the MB takes control and function as an arm of Iran, just as their Hamas brothers do, Israel will be threatened. It could lead to an outbreak of serious war, one which the US may be called to act.
I support the Egyptian people. Freedom is the birthright of man, and I hope they can create a thriving democracy. But if they don't, and the MB takes control it could lead to war.
I belive that all people have the right to self determine their government. The people of Egypt are rising againt Mubarak, who is without doubt a dictator. Is he in the vein on Stalin, Mao or the Ayatollah? I dont think so. There is repression, but not as great as some of the worst regimes. Still any repression is unacceptable. However the overarching geopolitical picture must be taken into account. Egypt is a strong ally, and a key player in the region.
The worst scenario seems to be if the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) takes control. We could see another Iran emerge from this. And if the people of Egypt think Ole' Hoshni is bad wait untill you have an Islamist governement. Will a new Islamist goverment support the peace treaty with Israel? The MB assasinated Anwar Sadat for signing it in the first place. How will Israel respond to a new extreme government on their southern border? How will the Suez Canal be handled? We see Iran play games with the Straight of Hormuz every few months.
We see recent reports that the military will not attack the protesters, which will probably sound the death knell for Mubarak. I only hope the Military is up to the task of keeping order and transitioning to a new government. I hope someone can channel the spirit of Kemal Ataturk and model a new country on the principals of Turkey, a secular democracy; which was until a few years ago a bastion in the Muslim world before Erdogan ruined the place. If they can't secure this transition, or if the International community does not support the reformers and allows them to fall as it did in Iran after the deposition of the Shaw, the country could very well fall into the hands of the extremists. If the MB takes control and function as an arm of Iran, just as their Hamas brothers do, Israel will be threatened. It could lead to an outbreak of serious war, one which the US may be called to act.
I support the Egyptian people. Freedom is the birthright of man, and I hope they can create a thriving democracy. But if they don't, and the MB takes control it could lead to war.
First Post
Welcome to Rioverse. This is the inaugural post for my Blog. I will be mainly be focusing on politics, from a conservative angle. I will also blog about my other interests, which are varied and sundry. Watch this space!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)