135 online
 
Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 52 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing Summarizing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

The Great Game in the Middle East

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   2 comments

David Weiner
Message David Weiner

Noam Chomsky’s recent article, “What Obama Didn't Say in His Cairo Address Speaks Volumes About His Mideast Policy, posted June 4, 2009 on Alternet, is right on the money. 

"Keeping just to Israel-Palestine -- there was nothing substantive about anything else -- Obama called on Arabs and Israelis not to 'point fingers' at each other or to 'see this conflict only from one side or the other.'  There is, however, a third side, that of the United States, which has played a decisive role in sustaining the current conflict. Obama gave no indication that its role should change or even be considered. " 

 

The Great Game in the Middle East is a fascinating, complex affair, yet to be described in a single source written in great prose. However, one might begin with Richard LaBeviere's Dollars for Terror to gain an understanding of the degree to which both Israel and the Palestinians constitute pawns manipulated by three powerful forces: (1) The imperial West, mainly the United States today; (2)growing Arab pan-nationalism, led by Iran, actually; and (3) the Islamic Fundamentalist Movement, created by the CIA but quickly achieving significant independence. Israel's job, too often embraced by many there, but by no means all, has been to aid imperialism at discouraging the development of (2). In fact (3) was created for this purpose. The Israeli tail has never wagged the U.S. dog, but Israel probably has gained the ability to guarantee U.S. commitments in exchange for not blowing up half the world. Israel's ability to do this also discourages (2) and (3) from mounting any serious assault, preferring a war of attrition and the illumination of a demonstrable Western evil for recruitment purposes. Though (2) and (3) are diametrically opposed, sometimes "The enemy of my enemy" becomes my friend. Thus do we see Hezbollah and Hamas making common cause now and again.

And so forth and so on -- a complex scenario largely hidden from view.  Once again we owe much to Noam Chomsky for revealing the iceberg.

Funny 1  
Rate It | View Ratings

David Weiner Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

David Weiner has been a sociology professor, high school teacher, community organizer, and anti-racism activist for more than half a century. Nowadays he teaches sociology and social psychology at a community college.
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

The Great Game in the Middle East

Imperialism Is Not Just Immoral, Either

Imperialism Is Not Merely Irritating

Reading Howard Zinn

Are We Creating a Global Death Culture?

What can a young citizen do?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend