Iranian General killed by US Drone.

[Prestwich_Blue]

I think it's you who needs to brush up on your history, specifically our European neighbours and the Middle East in general, if you genuinely think Britain and the US are the worst for these actions.

Many of the modern day problems in the Middle East stem directly from us and France drawing random lines across the territory to divide it up post-WW1. But even if we'd just walked away and left them to their own devices the national, tribal and religious rivalries would have ensured the place was in a continual state of upheaval.

Take 1948, when Israel declared statehood and was promptly attacked by Egypt, Jordan and Syria (among others). Egypt & Syria were rivals, not allies. Both saw themselves as leaders of the Arab world and therefore having the right to the territory. Syria saw the new state of Israel (& Jordan) as natural parts of a greater Syria. Egypt wanted the territory as a buffer against Syrian expansionism. Jordan wanted Egyptian control of the southern part of Israel to give them a direct link with Egypt, giving them some safety against Syria.

It was only the prospect of the UK military leaving the Gulf Area under the Wilson Government that forced the UAE states to stop fighting and combine to form a federal state. Otherwise they'd probably have been eaten up by the likes of Saudi Arabia.

 

[robbieh]

Of course it isn’t racist.

A key difference is Islam and the Middle East is well behind Christianity in it’s development, due to it being a younger (and well false) religion.

Christianity in the West has largely moved on from what the Middle East is currently going through.

One could argue the West’s interference hasn’t helped and has stifled development and stability and I’d probably agree with that position in the main, however it doesn’t disregard the fact that Islam is a younger, and therefore more volatile, religion.

Curious you state False religion, which is the true one?

 

[mexico1970]

Escalation?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50998065

 

[Metal Biker]

He said the last thousand years. During that time I suspect the French, Germans, Spanish Russians and ourselves would give them a run for their money. And it would be racist to describe Europeans as nutjobs on that basis.

Erm, the Ottomans, the Caliphates, the Mongols?

Is this more of that self-hatred thing, you're doing? ALL empires have been shitty, there is no region on earth that can claim purity. It's a pointless arguement and weak attempt at virtuous point scoring. You're so quick to jump on the "racism" accusation that you've pretty much abandoned all understanding of the term. It is not racist to point out that the nations of the Arabian Peninsula and Middle East have been fighting one another.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

Many of the modern day problems in the Middle East stem directly from us and France drawing random lines across the territory to divide it up post-WW1. But even if we'd just walked away and left them to their own devices the national, tribal and religious rivalries would have ensured the place was in a continual state of upheaval.

Take 1948, when Israel declared statehood and was promptly attacked by Egypt, Jordan and Syria (among others). Egypt & Syria were rivals, not allies. Both saw themselves as leaders of the Arab world and therefore having the right to the territory. Syria saw the new state of Israel (& Jordan) as natural parts of a greater Syria. Egypt wanted the territory as a buffer against Syrian expansionism. Jordan wanted Egyptian control of the southern part of Israel to give them a direct link with Egypt, giving them some safety against Syria.

It was only the prospect of the UK military leaving the Gulf Area under the Wilson Government that forced the UAE states to stop fighting and combine to form a federal state. Otherwise they'd probably have been eaten up by the likes of Saudi Arabia.

Yep. Sykes Picot right up there with other spectacular successes such as Pakistan /Kashmir and NI.

 

[Metal Biker]

Racist you couldn't make it up oh dear the middle east has been a problem for at least a thousand years for Europe and now the USA you can blind yourself all you want but its the truth.

I don't think he understands the term or when to appropriately use it.

He says it now in an attempt to "smear" others and discredit their opinions. Weak.

 

[Ban-jani]

Curious you state False religion, which is the true one?

I am presuming you agree with the rest of my post, considering you’ve chosen to pick out this small and largely irrelevant element to the point?

 

[robbieh]

Racist you couldn't make it up oh dear the middle east has been a problem for at least a thousand years for Europe and now the USA you can blind yourself all you want but its the truth.

It was the crusaders who were a problem for the Middle East I think you'll find.
And when was the last time Iran, Syria, Egypt or Iraq invaded Britain or the US? Remind me when.

 

[robbieh]

Erm, the Ottomans, the Caliphates, the Mongols?

Is this more of that self-hatred thing, you're doing? ALL empires have been shitty, there is no region on earth that can claim purity. It's a pointless arguement and weak attempt at virtuous point scoring. You're so quick to jump on the "racism" accusation that you've pretty much abandoned all understanding of the term. It is not racist to point out that the nations of the Arabian Peninsula and Middle East have been fighting one another.

Implying that people from that area are more warlike than us Europeans is racist.
And it's untrue.

 

[andyhinch]

Curious you state False religion, which is the true one?

There isn’t one, it’s all bollocks.