What do you think of the mass protests that are taking place in the middle East right now? Do you feel that we've come to a watershed moment in history which could spark something major?

Things aren't looking too good for Israel.

More unrest in the middle east, until almost every country is rebelling against their government.

And not all of them will work out as well as Egypt's.

I think it's good for the people to speak their minds, but ultimately there will continue to always be conflicts in the middle east. Due to religious fanaticism and obsession in that area people will continue to kill each other no matter really what happens. I mean muslims kill each other just because they are a different kind of one. It's terrible, and all on the theory of their religion or god is the true one.

 

Maybe they will be more democracy and freedoms, which I hope but I feel as a culture things have stayed the same for so long I don't see it changing.

Nothing good. There's always going to be conflict.

End of the world.

It's all for the better. When a situation is already completely ass-backwards, any sort of change is welcome. I think more and more people are starting to wake up and realize that their governments do not speak for them and are all very corrupt. My heart goes out to the people of these countries and I wish them all the best.

Nuclear war.

 

In all seriousness, though, it's a possibility. America needs to decide quick whether we actually want a democratic Egypt or not. Democratic Middle Eastern countries -> bad news for Israel; we're Israel's serious buddy -> not so hot for us. Not to mention Democratic Middle Eastern countries -> not so hot for us, anyway, even if you don't consider Israel. We'll probably end up siding with whatever new dictator is established there like we normally do, for our own safety. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

 

I do, much as it pains me to say it, sort of agree with Josh in that the Middle East needs shaking up, badly. That part of the globe needs to have a serious cultural and political rethinking for the world's sake to catch up, because if things stay the way they are now socially there, there's going to be a LOT of conflict between the Middle East and the rest of the world, just because we're so ideologically out of phase. (I'm not trying to be necessarily West-o-centric and say that we're right and they need to think like us or anything [although to a degree I do feel that], I'm mostly just saying that culturally they should become a little more homogeneous with the rest of the world, just for the sake of preventing conflict.) I do think that the Middle East is moving toward that right now, which is really, really good.

 

I dunno. It's going to be a very interesting few months, especially if things heat up even more outside of Egypt, which it's looking like they might. Could end up being a serious historical regionwide revolutionary movement, which is a little scary because it's new, but could also lead to a lot of good things... or some really bad ones. I'm cautiously optimistic, I guess.

I think most of the media organizations in the United States (Fox News, CNN, MSNBC especially) want people to think that the Middle East is full of crazy people who want to kill Israel and start massive wars. Obama defended the dictator Mubarak by saying he's a 'US Ally' and he's 'pro-Israel'. These would be good things to consider, but as it turns out, the people of these countries feel the same way. Obviously there are some lunatics who want nuclear war, but the vast majority of the citizens of these countries want peace, and don't want any conflict with Israel. Their main issues are internal. I think they really care a lot more about how fucked their countries are domestically than they do about any foreign policies. In fact, it's the same sentiment many Americans feel. A lot of us feel that our plethora of economic problems should be at the forefront, rather than these costly, atrocious wars we're involved in.

D:

 

[/excellent contribution]

There's fighting in the middle east?

Nuclear war.

 

In all seriousness, though, it's a possibility. America needs to decide quick whether we actually want a democratic Egypt or not. Democratic Middle Eastern countries -> bad news for Israel; we're Israel's serious buddy -> not so hot for us. Not to mention Democratic Middle Eastern countries -> not so hot for us, anyway, even if you don't consider Israel. We'll probably end up siding with whatever new dictator is established there like we normally do, for our own safety. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

 

I do, much as it pains me to say it, sort of agree with Josh in that the Middle East needs shaking up, badly. That part of the globe needs to have a serious cultural and political rethinking for the world's sake to catch up, because if things stay the way they are now socially there, there's going to be a LOT of conflict between the Middle East and the rest of the world, just because we're so ideologically out of phase. (I'm not trying to be necessarily West-o-centric and say that we're right and they need to think like us or anything [although to a degree I do feel that], I'm mostly just saying that culturally they should become a little more homogeneous with the rest of the world, just for the sake of preventing conflict.) I do think that the Middle East is moving toward that right now, which is really, really good.

 

I dunno. It's going to be a very interesting few months, especially if things heat up even more outside of Egypt, which it's looking like they might. Could end up being a serious historical regionwide revolutionary movement, which is a little scary because it's new, but could also lead to a lot of good things... or some really bad ones. I'm cautiously optimistic, I guess.

 

I would have to agree with you on this.

 

I think that culturally that part of the world has been set in their own ways for such a long time that it's tough to think it's going to be different. I think that these events are a step in the right direction in that fact that maybe some of these people who have had a lot of animosity towards the US will maybe come to a better understanding to see why the idea of freedom and democracy is good, and maybe will try and sort of take some of our ideas and move forward.

 

I mean I personally feel extremely grateful to live in this country with everything we have and wouldn't change it for anywhere else.

 

I think regardless the biggest problem in the world is religion. Of course it's a subject on it's own that should be addressed for another time but it should be looked at and considered to the cause of a lot of the conflicts.

I think most of the media organizations in the United States (Fox News, CNN, MSNBC especially) want people to think that the Middle East is full of crazy people who want to kill Israel and start massive wars. Obama defended the dictator Mubarak by saying he's a 'US Ally' and he's 'pro-Israel'. These would be good things to consider, but as it turns out, the people of these countries feel the same way. Obviously there are some lunatics who want nuclear war, but the vast majority of the citizens of these countries want peace, and don't want any conflict with Israel. Their main issues are internal. I think they really care a lot more about how fucked their countries are domestically than they do about any foreign policies. In fact, it's the same sentiment many Americans feel. A lot of us feel that our plethora of economic problems should be at the forefront, rather than these costly, atrocious wars we're involved in.

 

Yes, I do agree, but surely you don't think that most of the people are "pro-Israel"? I do think most of them care about what's going on in their own personal countries, but there's definitely some anti-Israeli sentiment in most of the Middle East, and that's just not positive as far as America is concerned.

 

and in regards to Mike's post, I'd have to say we're basically in agreement just about everywhere. TWINSIES.

Woot!

 

 

I feel the need to post in regards to religion and conflicts. We must look at it because as we have seen, there is much turmoil even inside these countries. I mean you have the various factions of islamic groups killing each other because of them being a Sunni, or Shiite or some other form. I mean this thought is ridiculous... killing other people just because of your beliefs in an imaginary man in the sky and some made up fiction that was created to make a set of guidelines for people that ultimately lead to controlling others.

 

I think honestly that a lot of these religions are just terrible. They were a good thing to have at the time they were created to explain what at the time was not known, but honestly these stories to any rational thinking person can simply not be true. I'm not just talking about Islam, but ALL religions. If you want to believe in something, that's completely fine I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is when those beliefs are being pushed on other people to a stance where people are hurt. Also I have a problem when it becomes pure ignorance on the persons part to not believe in something that is pretty much factually true like evolution (for example), because they believe in a book of god.

 

I'm not an atheist, I think there is some sort of a higher power or energy and something after you die, but I feel as Christopher Hitchens puts it, that "Religion poisons"

Some real interesting opinions raised here from different anglex. Thanks a lot guys. Keep it going!

 

The issue of religious extremism or more specifically Islamic extremism is the real worry here I feel. It may be seen as an opportunity for the protesters who rightly protest for democracy but it is at the same time seen as a far greater opportunity in the eyes of more sinister sides. That could be a disaster for the U.S and potentially Israel. If we look at the major revolutions like Egypt and Bahrain then it's taking place in the places where the U.S doesn't need it to take place.

I think religious extremism is a problem just in general. I mean you have the Vatican who is covering up all these child molestation charges... it's disgusting. Any kind of extremism (whether it even be things like substance abuse, food, exercise, etc.) is not natural regardless of what it is. I feel things should be in moderation.

 

I do think that Israel is a big problem in terms of the middle east having hatred towards them. Even so I think if hypothetically everyone decided to leave Israel, I'm sure there would still be tremendous issues because culturally we are from two different worlds.

 

Look... I don't have anything against Muslims or whatever kind of religion. I think that you should be free to believe in whatever you want to. I have no problem with that whatsoever. But like I mentioned I feel that extremism and trying to push your beliefs (which there are no substantial facts to back up) on other people, as well as being completely ignorant is wrong.

I think America might soon find itself out of it's well placed dictators in that region.

See part of me just doesn't get why we put them in there in the first place. I mean wouldn't they take into consideration it MIGHT bite us in the ass in the future?

 

Of course it's from special interests within the countries, but getting rid of one ruthless dictator and putting another one just seems like a shuffling of the deck to me.

i believe America doesn't want any kind off peace in middle east

if there is peace in middle east that means ppl investing in America will dwindle

 

as Jews and Arabs the major investers in america and if their countries are stable why would they invest in america:shrug:

I think that its just matter of days before USA reacts. Wouldn't be the first time they try to "fix" things in Middle East leaving everything even worse. Middle East is strategic region for everyone. Europe and USA, but that part of the world will never be at peace. Europe needs safe neighbourhood, and USA need for Europe to be safe. Middle East means oil and everyone needs them, economy is still in huge problems. NATO won't meddle into this situation and UN doesnt have the power to do anything, let along in Middle East. European Union doesnt have the resources, so USA is the only one. And they will not let this go further. Mubarak stepped down, Gadafi will never. He thinks of himself as the chosen one, he fits into dictionary description of dictator, with no political relation to anyone. He is not pro nor con USA, he is just pro himself. Getting him to step down will be hard hard work. And I just fear that more and more people will die in the name of peace. But I understand them, they want something different, even if it won't be easy or better, its time to be different.

WWIII/Armageddon?

WWIII/Armageddon?

 

I hang my head and shake it at this post.

i agree with them protesting to get more democracy and civil rights -thought i felt really disappointed when i knew someone tried to stole the museum in El Cairo-, but seeing how fake the democracy is in other free countries, i mean is current proof it ends corrupt at some point no matter what model of the democracy we've chosen.... :|

 

we'll see how it all ends, is spreading quite fast (Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Lybia, Morroco, Yemen, Barhein) and we'll see who set finally in govern and so what direction the countries will take, all i hope will be for the best and wished by the people there. That big area now seems a big parchis table in a way, i feel it'll end one country in this or that colour now (political parties).

They will go into an anarchy period for some time, between one system is over and the new one is working i guess, that's what worries me cause in those situation a lot of bad things can happen.

 

What will happen at the end it'll sure change global politics, as some countries surely will cut their relationships and others will reinforce. I wonder if many people will go back to those countries once democracy gets there. So it'll also affect economics in their countries and where they be living aswell.

 

We are in Europe but feels like all our neigbours are protesting, now it won't surprise me if it cross to our borders, luckily we aren't as bad as they are, yet... .

they will steal our world record :(

I kind of believe that the US might try to put some influence in there, but I think for the most part we'll just let it be.