Victor Davis Hanson says it as I believe.  The question is which way to treat the Middle East for America or its few allies today.

For me, I believe the USA's best efforts are served first by voting this hypocritical president out of office in November.  Then I believe in a cliche' by my friends, Rick Brizendine and Dave Kaelin if translated from the Latin means:  "If you want peace, prepare for war."  We must do things of war, God please forbid a coming war.  But we must act to protect our warriors ans our homeland as best we can.

I believe God is in true control and the history will go as He plans.  I believe in Christianity but we should not have a theocracy whereby the religion dictates the laws of the land.  The checks and balances system of executive, judicial, and legislative of our system is good, but we should do without career politicians (term limits).

God's plan has been so right in that He created the earth and the Heavens and then sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of man.  By the Christian plan any individual must only declare belief in that plan and accept Christ as their personal savior.  It is by their own free will that they accept or reject, but Christians have a duty to proclaim the better way.


Sam

• HOME
 
• TODAY'S PAPER
 
• VIDEO
 
• PHOTOS
 
• PODCASTS
 
• DATA
 
• E-EDITION
 
• MOBILE

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

• Columbus, Ohio, Mar 09, 2012
• 41° Partly Cloudy

Dispatch.com Web by 

| Archive

Search Bar
Sponsor

• News
• Sports
• Opinion
• Life & Entertainment
• Classifieds
• Services
• Store
• Contacts

Hot Links:

• Find the new grades for your school
• Columbus Crew 2012
• Do you remember the Blizzard of 2008?
• Happy Birthday, Columbus!
• Obituaries

• Home
• Opinion
• Op-Ed Columns

Any path taken in Middle East seems to end badly

ALSO IN OPINION

• Editorials
• Op-Ed Columns
• Today's Hot Issue

Subscribe to The Dispatch

Sign up for home delivery of The Columbus Dispatch and find out What's In It for You. 

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?
Enroll in EZPay and get a free gift! Enroll now.

By  Victor Davis Hanson

Tribune Media Friday March 9, 2012 6:44 AM

• Comments: 0

ShareThis

Americans — left, right, Democrats and Republicans — are all sick of thankless nation-building in the Middle East. Yet democratization was not our first choice, but rather a last resort after prior failures.

The United States had long ago supplied Afghan insurgents, who expelled the Soviets after a decade of fighting. Then we left. The country descended into even worse medievalism under the Taliban. So after removing the Taliban, who had hosted the perpetrators of 9/11, we promised in 2001 to stay on.

We won the first Gulf War in 1991. Then most of our forces left the region. The result was the mass murder of the Iraqi Kurds and Shiites, 12 years of no-fly zones and a failed oil-for-food embargo of Saddam’s Iraq. So after removing Saddam in 2003, we tried to leave behind something better.

In the past 10 years, the United States has spent more than $1 trillion and has lost thousands of lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both places seem far better off than when ruled by the Taliban and Saddam Hussein — at least for a while longer.

Yet the Iraqis now bear Americans little good will. They seem friendlier to Iran and Syria than to their liberators. In Afghanistan, riots continue over the mistaken burning of some defaced Qurans, despite serial American apologies.

How about the choice of bombing the bad guys and then just staying clear? We just did that to the terrorist-friendly Gadhafi dictatorship in Libya. But now that Gadhafi is gone, there is chaos. Islamic gangs torture and execute black Africans who supported the deposed regime, according to press reports. British World War II cemeteries that were honored during 70 years of Libyan kings and dictators could not survive six months of a “free” Libya.

Not having boots on the ground may ensure that endless chaos will consume the hope of a calm post-Gadhafi Libya. That was also true of Somalia and Lebanon after American troops were attacked and abruptly left.

How about another option of aid and words of encouragement only? We have urged Egyptian reform, under both George W. Bush and now Barack Obama. When protestors forced the removal of dictator Hosni Mubarak, the United States approved. It even appears likely that we will keep sending Egypt significant annual subsidies of more than $1.5 billion, as we have for more than 30 years. Yet anti-American Islamists are now the dominant force in Egyptian politics. American aid workers were recently arrested and threatened with trial by new Egyptian reformers.

Still another choice would be not to nation-build, bomb or even get near a Middle Eastern country — as is the case with Iran and Syria. The U.S. has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since the Shah left in 1979. Until the Obama administration desperately tried to re-establish contacts with the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria by appointing a new ambassador, there had been nearly six years of estrangement.

Yet Iran is nearing its goal of obtaining a nuclear weapon both to threaten Israel and to bully other oil-exporting regimes of the Persian Gulf. The Syrian government is now butchering thousands of its own citizens with impunity.

A final option would be to return to re-establishing friendly relationships with Middle East dictatorships regardless of their internal politics — and then keeping mum about their excesses. We did that with Pakistan, which has both received billions in U.S. aid and produced a nuclear bomb. Yet it is hard to imagine a more anti-American country than nuclear Pakistan, without which the Taliban could not kill Americans so easily in Afghanistan.

The United States once saved the Kuwaiti regime after it was swallowed up by Saddam Hussein. We have enjoyed strong ties with the Saudi monarchy, as well. Neither country seems especially friendly to the U.S. It is still a crime to publicly practice Christianity in Saudi Arabia. Fifteen of the 19 mass-murdering hijackers of 9/11 were Saudis. Oil in the Middle East costs less than $5 a barrel to produce; it now sells for over $100, largely due to the policies of our allies and OPEC members.

Let us review: Military assistance or punitive intervention without follow-up mostly failed. The verdict on far more costly nation-building is still out. Trying to help popular insurgents topple unpopular dictators does not guarantee anything better. Propping up dictators with military aid is both odious and counterproductive. Keeping clear of maniacal regimes leads to either nuclear acquisition or genocide — or 16 acres of rubble in Manhattan.

What have we learned? Tribalism, oil and Islamic fundamentalism are a bad mix that leaves Americans sick and tired of the Middle East — both when they get in it and when they try to stay out of it.

Victor Davis Hanson is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University.

• Add to Favorites
• Print Story

Email

Comments

Login or register to post a comment.

FW: Internatiional pictures of the year ... Thanks Lou!

International Picture of the Year I received these pictures from my lifelong friend, Tom Bourlier. Tom was our Graves Registration Officer in Vietnam. He recently retired as the Director of Mortuary Affairs for the Joint Military Services. Nobody knows more about these very moving moments than Tom knows, and he knows them firsthand. Ron International Picture of the Year. Here are three very touching photos honored this year. First Place : First Place Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said. 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.' Second Place Second Place Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted'. And the one that really tightens MY throat: 3rd Place – “Son, a grateful Nation……..” PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING! Blue Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is: 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday. IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON. IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS -- THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON. Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you: 1. Jesus Christ 2. The American G. I. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.

Dr. Charles Krauthammer ... Important re-cycle!

Facts about Charles Krauthammer Very interesting and merits watching the results. Charles Krauthammer, MD. Born: March 13, 1950 1. Birthplace: New York City, New York 2. Raised in Montreal, Canada 3. Attended Mc Gill University and Harvard Medical School 4. 1972 diving accident left him paralyzed from the neck on down. 5. Directed psychiatric research for the Carter administration 6. Began writing career in 1981 with The New Republic 7. Helped develop the "Reagan Doctrine" in the 80's 8. Appointed to Presidential Council on Bioethics in 2002 Dr. Charles Krauthammer , MD Dr. Krauthammer is frequently on the Fox News Channel. He is an M.D., a lawyer and is paralyzed from the neck down. A friend went to hear Charles Krauthammer. He listened with 25 others in a closed room. What he says here, is NOT 2nd-hand but 1st. The ramifications are staggering for us, our children and their children. Last Monday was a profound evening. Dr. Charles Krauthammer spoke to the Center for the American Experiment. He is a brilliant intellectual, seasoned & articulate. He is forthright and careful in his analysis, and never resorts to emotions or personal insults. He is NOT a fear monger nor an extremist in his comments and views. He is a fiscal conservative, and has received a Pulitzer Prize for writing. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News and writes weekly for the Washington Post. The entire room was held spellbound during his talk. I have summarized his comments, as we are living in uncharted waters economically and internationally. Even 2 Dems at my table agreed with everything he said! If you feel like forwarding this to those who are open minded and have not drunk the Kool-Aid, feel free.... Summary of his comments: 1. Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a cool customer who doesn't show his emotions. It's very hard to know what's behind the mask. The taking down of the Clinton dynasty was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time. 2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton.He has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES! 3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself, but rather tochange everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can't be straightforward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along. He has a heavy hand, and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada. 4. His three main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE by the Federal government. He doesn't care about the auto or financial services industries, but got them as an early bonus. The cap and trade will add costs to everything and stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is his healthcare program, because if you make it FREE and add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go through the roof. The only way to control costs is with massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada ...God forbid! 5. He has surrounded himself with mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever even run a candy store. But they are going to try and run the auto, financial, banking and other industries. This obviously can't work in the long run. Obama is not a socialist; rather he's a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate, but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he DOES, not what he says. 6. Obama doesn't really see himself as President of the United States, but more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries and their agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany and England was a prime example of how he sees America, as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the first President ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies! 7. He is now handing out goodies. He hopes that the bill (and pain) will not come due until after he is reelected in 2012. He would like to blame all problems on Bush from the past, and hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego, and Dr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist. 8.. Republicans are in the wilderness for a while, but will emerge strong. Republicans are pining for another Reagan, but there will never be another like him. Krauthammer believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in February) are the future of the party. Newt Gingrich is brilliant, but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere and intelligent, but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts and info if she is to be a serious candidate in the future... We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller government, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and state's rights. 9. The current level of spending is irresponsible and outrageous. We are spending trillions that we don't have. This could lead to hyperinflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity. The Media is giving Obama, Reid and Pelosi a Pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due and people will realize the huge bailouts didn't work, nor will the stimulus package. These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama's allies, unions and the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above. 10. The election was over in mid-September when Lehman brothers failed, fear and panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, and the war was grinding on indefinitely without a clear outcome. The people are in pain, and the mantra of change caused people to act emotionally. Any Dem would have won this election; it was surprising it was as close as it was. 11. In 2012, if the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it's under 8%, the Dems continue to roll. If it's between 8-10%, it will be a dogfight. It will all be about the economy. I hope this gets you really thinking about what' shappening in Washington and Congress. There is a left-wing revolution going on, according to Krauthammer, and he encourages us to keep the faith and join the loyal resistance. The work will be hard, but we're right on most issues and can reclaim our country, before it's far too late. Do yourself a long term favor; send this to all who will listen to an intelligent assessment of the big picture. All our futures and children's futures depend on our good understanding of what is really going on in DC, and our action pursuant to that understanding! It really IS up to each of us to take individual action! Start with educating your friends and neighbors!!!

Time for God ... Thanks Tom & Carolyn!

---

From: jdrowson@live.com

Subject: Time For God

Read only if you Have time for God Let me Tell you, make sure you read all the way to the bottom. I Almost deleted this email but I was blessed when I got to The end. God, when I Received this e-mail, I thought ... I don't Have time for this ... And, this is really inappropriate During work. Then, I realized That this kind of thinking is Exactly, what has caused Lot of the problems in our world today. We Try to keep God in church on Sunday morning..... Maybe, Sunday Night... And, the Unlikely event of a midweek service. We Do like to have Him around during sickness... And, of course, At funerals. However, we Don't have time, or room, for Him during work or play... Because.. That's The part of our lives we think .. We can, and should, handle on our own. May God forgive me for ever thinking... That t here is A time or place where. HE Is not to be FIRST in my life. We Should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.. If, You aren't ashamed to do this... Please follow The directions. Jesus said, 'If You are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.' Not Ashamed? Pass this on ONLY IF YOU MEAN IT! Yes, I do Love God. HE Is my source of existence and Savior. He Keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will Be nothing. But, with Christ, HE strengthens me. (Phil 4:13) This is The simplest test. If You Love God ... And, are not ashamed of all the marvelous Things HE has done for you .... Send this to ten People and the person who sent it to you! Now do you have the Time to pass it on? Make sure that You scroll through to the end. Easy vs. Hard Why Is it so hard to tell the truth but Yet so easy to tell a Lie? Why Are we so sleepy in church but Right when the sermon is over We suddenly wake up? Why Is it so easy to delete a Godly e-mail, but yet we forward All of the nasty ones? Of All the free gifts we may receive, Prayer is the very best one ..... There are no Costs, but wonderful rewards .... GOD BLESS! Notes: Isn't it Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Isn't it funny how someone can say 'I believe in God' but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also 'believes' in God). Isn't it funny How you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages Regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing? Isn't it funny How when you go to forward this message, you will not send It to many on your address list because you're not sure what They believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them. Isn't it funny How I can be more worried about what Other people think of Me than what God thinks of me. I pray, for everyone who sends this to their entire address book, they will be blessed by God in a way special for them. And send it back to the person who sent it, to let them know that indeed it was sent out to many more.