tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32060070.post115565246086791295..comments2024-03-28T10:14:04.854+03:00Comments on Gathara's World: The New Middle East is very like the OldGatharahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615274760892257015noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32060070.post-51153585853850500782006-09-18T16:17:00.000+03:002006-09-18T16:17:00.000+03:00Excellent post and very valid arguments here. My ...Excellent post and very valid arguments here. My thinking all along was that Iran is somewhere in this equation; either in the process of stirring up Israel or as a target by US / Israel on account of Iran’s nuclear plant.<br /><br />Undoubtedly, the West is terrified of Iran holding WMDs and with good reason, given the Islamic tendency to willingly die for their cause. Unlike the old Soviet/Communist era when Mutually Assured Destruction prevailed, belief in MAD where Iran is concerned would probably cause many a sleepless nights for Western Governments.<br /><br />The options are somewhat limited; prevent Iran from having WMDs or reach a political solution against a background of MAD. I am inclined to believe that MAD will ultimately prevail in the region, just as it did/does in Europe and India/Pakistan, but I suspect that the US will not willingly take that chance unless they have to, and go instead for direct action against Iran.<br /><br />It is conceivable that MAD could actually lead to lasting peace in the Middle East, since I believe it has been absence of the balance of power that responsible for the continuing unrest there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13742451017811685037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32060070.post-54060514670239597002006-08-31T00:49:00.000+03:002006-08-31T00:49:00.000+03:00Hi Gathara!
Yours is a very interesting but incisi...Hi Gathara!<br />Yours is a very interesting but incisive blog!<br />It is very encouraging to note that cartoonists can express themselves satisfactorily in words as well. I just hope that one day peace which has hitherto been elusive in middle east will be embraced by both sides soon. Because attacks beget counter attacks..And counter attacks begets countless counter attacks..and the countless counter attacks sucks the human in us leaving us but savage shells that are no repector of the sanctity of life.. <br />kudos!Njuuri Nchekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13372485591880940000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32060070.post-33619488471206410942006-08-28T09:52:00.000+03:002006-08-28T09:52:00.000+03:00While I can understand the reasons for your pessim...While I can understand the reasons for your pessimism, I still think that there is a window of opportunity for both sides to extract themselves from the cycle of violence and counter-violence. After all, the Arabs may have proven their point that Israel cannot achieve its aims through conflict but considering the destruction wrought on Lebanon, it was, at best, a hollow "victory". If the international community (read the West) focusses its attention in a similar manner as last year, when it booted Syria out of Lebanon, there is hope that an equitable peace can be achieved which takes into account the concerns of both sides.Gatharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05615274760892257015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32060070.post-29284849328194743012006-08-27T12:08:00.000+03:002006-08-27T12:08:00.000+03:00I have found this to be a well researched and info...I have found this to be a well researched and informative post. However, i dont think the just ended war is a precurser to peace as such. Isreal are likely to find reason to return another day to 'complete the mission' Jews the world over, are known to be very innovative, good at learning from disaster. while the political leadership in Jerusalem is likely to be involved in the qustion as to suitability of Olmert's continued leadership or not, the generals must be taking stock. and laying strategy for future incursions, raids and targetted assassinations against hizbollah and hamas. This will only harden the arab resolve and hatred against the jew... such is the stuff for continued conflictgathingahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02470160821650563544noreply@blogger.com