The Arab Spring was the impetus to sectarian power struggles throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East.
The region has to stop the hatred of any religious minorities in the region. The region is Sunni in it's majority. It is the region that has to change it's policies and people to accept difference. The regional Sunni majority does not have to wave a white flag in surrender, but, it has to bring about acceptance of different populations.
All the allies of the USA in the region have always accepted diversity as a strength to their countries, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt. The challenge is to bring the other countries on board to end the deadly trend of a very powerful Sunni group that has the ability to threaten any country and possibly the entire region.
The Arab Spring opened the door to all groups to become members of a democratic process. That was the goal of it's leaders. But, what actually manifested was the rise of sectarian violence.
The best example of these sectarian divides is Libya as it struggles still today to being about stability.
June 14, 2012
In the past The West has indirectly supported dictators in economic trades and the interest of Wall Street and in return the dictators provided stability.
The USA has always touted it's democracy as the ultimate arrangement of government. Oddly, today the USA's democracy is in the worst condition it has ever been. Even today, the US Congress has called a vacation for two months with so many problems still unsettled. The USA democracy no longer is conducted to solve the country's problems, but, is simply used as a power brokering strategy to multi-national companies like Koch. It is highly questionable as to the democratic standing of the USA so much as it's plutocratic standing.
That said, countries like Libya, oppressed the people and disconnected from them as wealth and creature comforts took over leadership. The former dictators of the Middle East enjoyed being the 1% of their countries and the condition of the people was horrible. A return to the good ole days will not solve the strife for people such as those in tribes in Libya.
If there is an example of success in the Middle East it is Saudi Arabia followed by Jordan and Turkey.
Muslim (click here) (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2012 est.)
The Kingdom does not provide for genocide of any religious difference. Not only that, but, the current King when Prince Abdullah met with President Assad as a show of diversity and acceptance.
The USA has to begin to assess each Middle Eastern and North African country autonomously and not only the intelligence provided by Israel. The region has to solve these problems and soon. IS/IS/L is a danger to them and they are Sunni moderates. There is much wrong here. I think Secretary Kerry has been successful to bring about an understanding to every nation and every ethnicity and every faith there exists a common enemy.
Those countries allied with The West have an appreciation for diverse cultures by osmosis. It has nothing to do with terms of agreements. Diversity is peace.
The region has to stop the hatred of any religious minorities in the region. The region is Sunni in it's majority. It is the region that has to change it's policies and people to accept difference. The regional Sunni majority does not have to wave a white flag in surrender, but, it has to bring about acceptance of different populations.
All the allies of the USA in the region have always accepted diversity as a strength to their countries, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt. The challenge is to bring the other countries on board to end the deadly trend of a very powerful Sunni group that has the ability to threaten any country and possibly the entire region.
The Arab Spring opened the door to all groups to become members of a democratic process. That was the goal of it's leaders. But, what actually manifested was the rise of sectarian violence.
The best example of these sectarian divides is Libya as it struggles still today to being about stability.
June 14, 2012
Tribal clashes in western and southern Libya have left at least 15 people dead over the past 48 hours as old grievances between Libyan tribes and cities resurface in the absence of strong leadership in post-revolution Libya.
Dozens of Libyans held a protest on Wednesday in the eastern city of Benghazi, expressing dismay at the security situation and demanding to dissolve the militia groups and integrate them into the army, according to the Libyan news agency, LANA.
They raised banners reading, "Yes to security and safety, no to weapons and chaos", LANA said....
Also in Zintan, militia members have been engaged in gun battles with a rival tribe called el-Mashisha.
That tribe did not join the uprising, and Zintan fighters accuse them of maintaining loyalty to Gaddafi.
Zintan is the home of the rebels who were the first to sweep into the capital of Tripoli in August, dealing the decisive blow to Gaddafi's regime,
The July elections are supposed to be a milestone on the path to democratic rule after the overthrow last year of Gaddafi's rule of four decades.
However, chaos and tribal conflicts have badly marred the transition.
"Everyone should stand united behind building a state of institutions, law and justice," Abdul-Jalil, the transitional ruler, said on Tuesday, "to overcome this agony and reach our dream and the dream of all Libyans: free and fair elections which will be a real beginning in the history of Libya."
Abdul-Jalil's appeal is seen as another example of weakness that has plagued the country's leadership since it declared the liberation of Libya in October after toppling Gaddafi.
In the past The West has indirectly supported dictators in economic trades and the interest of Wall Street and in return the dictators provided stability.
The USA has always touted it's democracy as the ultimate arrangement of government. Oddly, today the USA's democracy is in the worst condition it has ever been. Even today, the US Congress has called a vacation for two months with so many problems still unsettled. The USA democracy no longer is conducted to solve the country's problems, but, is simply used as a power brokering strategy to multi-national companies like Koch. It is highly questionable as to the democratic standing of the USA so much as it's plutocratic standing.
That said, countries like Libya, oppressed the people and disconnected from them as wealth and creature comforts took over leadership. The former dictators of the Middle East enjoyed being the 1% of their countries and the condition of the people was horrible. A return to the good ole days will not solve the strife for people such as those in tribes in Libya.
If there is an example of success in the Middle East it is Saudi Arabia followed by Jordan and Turkey.
Muslim (click here) (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2012 est.)
The Kingdom does not provide for genocide of any religious difference. Not only that, but, the current King when Prince Abdullah met with President Assad as a show of diversity and acceptance.
The instability across North Africa and from Lebanon eastward in the Middle East is due to the oppression of the masses. It is legitimate for these people to seek relief from their former government. The problem is the deep seated fear of a return of the oppression that continues the chaos.
Where the Middle East has been successful is where there are ruling families that have alliances with The West and open their borders to global trade. This is the common denominator of successful leadership to date in the Middle East.
Those countries allied with The West have an appreciation for diverse cultures by osmosis. It has nothing to do with terms of agreements. Diversity is peace.
