GODLY MANIPULATION ........

The integration of certain secular norms like democracy and other modern aspects of life especially those dealing with freedom and with women issues and gender equalities , surely disturbed a certain inherited equilibrium in most Arab and non Arab countries , around the entirety of the Middle-East , whether through direct invasions ie, American invasion of Iraq , Israeli to Palestine , or via all the pseudo secular dictatorships of the area  in the last few decades .

It is a known fact that most peoples cannot tolerate existing nor conducting their lives in two different systems at the same time . In most Arab Muslim countries life to its smallest everyday detail happen because god wills it , and people are not in any role or position to argue or tamper with the will of god .

In the Middle-East Islam in its two main factions , plays a by far more pervasive role in the life of every individual and all , than any other religion does in any part of the world , only Israel might be a qualified second to this blind obedience to religious dogmas . People in the West in general have difficulty understanding or grasping the extent to which certain religions ie. Islam and Judaism infiltrate and govern all aspects of life in their respective societies .

ISIS , its sisters and all other Musslem salafi groups , are being contested in the Muslim world only for their excessive brutality , short sighted intolerance and free butchery towards Musslems and non Musslem citizens . Only if they were a little more or better tacticians and pragmatists and a little less brutal and sanguinary , they would have won the hearts and minds of most Sunni Musslems ,  not only within the Arab context but the whole world .

Historically Israelites did the same using terrorism to implement ideals and win lands and won the hearts of all  Jewry before during and after 1948 , and are still reviving these methods nowadays .

Unfortunately , I cannot but believe that the future of most of the Middle-East , will not be what we know and lived through  for the past 60 or 70 years , or even today , they will de facto be divided into many entities of different ethnic enclaves , having in most cases bad relations among each other , keeping a semi warlike  situation always followed by short periods of imposed peace .

Proving to the world that different ethnic and different religious groups cannot somehow survive together , at least not in that part of the world . and to say that it's the same god they all believe in , maybe he doesn't want it any other way !!!
 
My usual many thanks to all for reading and spreading the blog .      

AMERICAN REASONING ......

1-- If history is to repeat itself in the U.S. , and a Republican president is to be elected following a full two terms democrat president in 2016 , their should be no room for worries about hot issues like immigration , a topic that is now preoccupying every media , politician and regular voters .
If repeated history is the motto , a Republican president  would drag the country back into one or more trillion dollar war , cut dramatically taxing the very rich , Wall St. , and the corporations , all resulting in further cuts and reductions in public services and benefits to the poorer and the middle classes, (more than 90% of Americans) ,
America would become less attractive , and immigration from poorer countries like Mexico and Latin America would become less lucrative , thus becoming less of a problem for American politicians , a brilliant solution isn't it ???


2-- Earnings of thousands to one between most CEO's , bankers , traders' bonuses and lobbyists , versus their counterparts , ordinary salary earners , even within the same institutions , should never be the norm .  And if it has to be for whatever free market reasoning , why are we then resisting taxing them appropriately , in line with all of the Western world , for more equitable distribution and betterment of all , one rich candidate for the last presidential paid regularly around 14% in taxes less than half of what many of us pay , strange reasoning indeed !!


3-- Sen. Chuck Schumer , and rep. Eliot Engel and Steve Israel , who all happen to be Jewish , are tilting and leaning loudly to their Israeli affiliations and loyalties , over their assumed Americanism , I'm sure they were instrumental in staging the Congress warm welcomes and stand up applauds for Mr. Netanyahu of Israel . Let's all hope that the three politicians and some more from both sides of the isle , regain independent sanity , and only consider American interests and not anyone else . They are American reps. after all , elected by Americans for America .


4-- Why is Iran nowadays a place of evil , a place where we should not do business with , on the contrary fight them impoverish and destroy them . We used to cherish our friendship with them , work and trade a lot with them , Many Americans were happy to work in Iran as many Iranians lived and learned in the U.S. , all under an as brutal Shah regime as it is now under Islamic oligarchy .


5-- Finally and based on a personal opinion , many of our presidential candidates , but mostly on the Republican side for sure , for the 2016 election year , yes many or most ; perfectly fit the typical "asshole" definition . Is the nation and its media turning into an "asshole" Cherishing body ? Are we seriously looking to elect an asshole for the presidency , to govern our country , destinies and lives ?? and for a long 4 years or possibly 8 ??? didn't we learn anything from old  Bush/Cheney  foolish  adventurism and economical collapses ???


My usual many thanks to all for your patience and time .             

PLAYING WITH FIRE .......

As much as  one could be feeling sick and getting fed-up by what is happening in the entire Arab world , and its different countries  and entities , there is no denying , that modern Israel , in the midst of all the Middle-Eastern events, is turning as sickening , dangerous , cold and brutal .


The degree of intolerance exercised by Israel toward all its neighbors , close ones and far , is only matched by the vulgar and crazy ISIS and the Syrian regime , it is confirming  Israel as a rogue country of the third world , this Israeli arrogance toward everyone else , including its closest allies , and its insistence on creating and fueling conflicts over the whole area , plus its continual policies of apartheid and crushing the Palestinians under their control , all in an attempt to achieve and materialize an actual transfer of the entire Palestinian masses , acquiring by any means their lands and properties .


These tactics and policies , will only further inflame an eventual religious war or wars between Islamic countries themselves , and united or divided with the Jewish state, leading to many years of continual brutality and savagery . Middle-Eastern peoples in general , including Israelis , are propelling themselves on these paths , purposely kept blind-folded from other better possibilities , on the contrary a systematic energizing of hate , vengeance and the notions of "you're next" leading surely to a real religious war sooner than later , dragging the whole world in it .


As the Israeli machine keep vigorously pressuring and influencing American legislators for an anti deal with Iran , as they did with Iraq some years before , it shows the no limits Israel's semi religious oligarchy is willing to go to , in destroying the area by keeping continual war games alive .


No matter how we hide behind our Internet screens , or we mesmerize ourselves in front of erupting volcano scenes , earth quakes or floodings , even in just watching our own human craze , stubbornness and brutality , we cannot ignore what's happening in the Middle-East , destroying all its heritage and history in sheer brutality under the name of stupid religious differences or conflicting feelings , or hegemonic false superiority .


The many religions , namely Islam and Israeli Judaism  will bring the real doomsday scenarios if we are not very careful , and working to prevent it , all of us , citizens of the world . Lack of tolerance will lead Israel and the whole area to total disasters from all perspectives .


Finally and in regard to our unconditional support of Israel , in right or wrong , the world and the U.S cannot and should not conduct their political process in the twenty-first century with the fear of one state , and their one side minded lobbyists , the world has to decide in cool thinking and steady steps its future according to its own ideals . Preventing annihilation wars is a solid prerequisite of our survival through this century .


If Israelis are willingly  turning their country into a pariah nuclear state , the world has a moral obligation of stopping it , for the world's own safety at least .
 My usual many thanks for listening .      

CONSISTENTLY BAD THINKING ........

Most Arabs unfortunately , in the past and more so nowadays , fall into the grave error of mixing between Arab nationalism  and Islam , and totally misidentify the limits of Arabic Islam . They are two very distinct concepts and issues , Islam is a religion and Arabism is Nationalism . And when Islam , or any religion for that matter , is combined and blended with nationalism or vice versa , false situations and some strong conflicts are always created .


The same and a lot of antagonism would take place when trying to amalgamate nationalism and religion , as in the examples of Islamic Iran and emerging  Jewish Israel, as well taking the example of the ill fated Islamic state . In modern history many peoples attempted governing with the mix , and practically all ended up failing .


Religions  generally are not compatible with  democracy , they come and are by nature authoritarian , they tend to be exclusive in most cases and aspects , intolerant towards others is the rule . Islam is by no means different in its anti-democratic ways as is Judaism , Christianity or any other major religion . 


The religious mind and more specifically the Arab mind has to be reinvented to suit real democracy and a secular national policy , and the acceptance of a real division of state and religion . As well
The way things are shaping the Israeli political and social scene nowadays , is a bad premonition for any serious possibility of betterment , tolerance and a brighter future . As the religious is taking greater parts in the nationalism and the governance . and is gaining ground in replacing secularism and tolerance .


Everywhere in the area and some parts of the world the same archaic religious fervor is trying to take over and replace national tolerance , secular governance and real democracy . Real knowledge , betterment and higher morals start only when we learn to accept and separate between concepts , put them in perspective, facing each other, so as to analyze correctly the values and benefits , or harms of each .


Thank you all for your time and patience .        

AGAIN , WELL DONE MR. PRESIDENT .....

The fear , even paranoia  of Israeli leadership and many of its staunch supporters in the States , was steadily growing for the past year , more so now , after reaching the nuclear deal between the U.S. it's international allies  and Iran . Of course a scary affair to some as such a deal will result in a certain future rapprochement with Iran , and the most feared is the American and Western economic and political future engagements .


Many in the U.S. hide strictly behind nuclear armament possibilities and threats , their supposed danger on America itself and of course Israel , a false and totally untrue argument , as even a nuclear armed Iran will never pose any real danger to Israel nor the U.S . Historically it is proven , nuclear countries don't nuke each other , it's only and strictly a deterrence between the nuclear haves , and  these avoid and circumvent new aspiring members . Especially for Israel , as a nuclear powered  Iran  will only render the country unassailable  and indomitable .


It's the rapprochement strategy that is bothering many, mostly the neocons of both Israeli and American side , each strictly for his benefits . To look at the same scene from an Iranian perspective , will tell us immediately that Iran is in a win-win situation with the West and America , vis-a-vis its increasing partnership with Russia , China and Turkey to a lesser extent .


Iranian Musslem populations sentiments , resent a very close Russian or Chinese partnership and alliance , mostly for religious differences , as religion is of minor importance in both countries , Shiism and Turkic Sunnism divide , will always fuel a natural barrier to a strong partnership . The West in general and even the U.S are by far favored and accepted as possible partners for future prosperity and for the entrepreneurship of the Iranian people .


Provided the U.S. and its Western allies , realize and work with Iran as the descendant of Persia and not as a modern Shiite hegemonic theocratic Iran , lies the key to success of the whole plan , and the continued American domination over most of the Sunni Arab world . After all economic hardship and prosperity dreams brought Iranians to the negotiations not force .


Iran as well fears its northern borders , increasingly becoming Sunni fanatics and militant , and turning more antagonistic toward Iranian ambitions in the mostly Sunni Arab world , its policies and presence in Syria , Iraq , Lebanon and ill fated Yemen , are not helping extinguish the Sunni hatred. 


So possibly the American rapprochement with Iran , the toning down of Israeli antagonism , and the strong American ties and alliances with the Sunni countries , can facilitate defusing some of the impossible situations in the area , and help create a new order under the direct influence of the U.S.  An arrangement not necessarily beneficial to the strategic advantages of Russia , nor China , and surely not serving the present Israeli leadership's hegemonic views .


I hope that American politicians opposing  the mentioned deal , mostly influenced by Israeli short sighted policies , will not predominate our decisions , interests or foreign policies . Let us willingly give Mr. Netanyahu another one of his beloved standing ovations in our Congress , while asking him to stop tampering in our foreign policies and interests . let us keep on the track of safeguarding our future and the world's , avoiding stupid profiteering war games and tactical hegemonic policies .


Finally as a last thought , isn't it high times after the latest win for America , the West and the world , over unchecked nuclear proliferation  and dangers , to start seriously pressuring defiant Israel over its nuclear arsenal estimated at more than 300 warheads , all mounted on ready to launch missiles . The International Atomic Agency must have some access and Israel must adhere to some accountability to the world and its neighbors including Iran .    My as always many thanks for your times .                  

TWO THOUSAND YEARS OLD EPICTETUS ......

Great attention  is always given to the moral importance of our deeds , but less so to the moral power of our words and their effects . Many people feel compelled to voice any and every passing feeling , thought , or impression they have , they randomly dump the contents of their minds without regard to the consequences .


When we babble about every idea that occurs or crosses our minds , big or small , we  will easily get lost in mindless talk . We all need to be constantly on our guards for not falling into the traps of frivolous talk, Way better to be silent or speak sparingly than talking just for the sake of saying anything , we end up mostly saying trivial things , thus turning trivial and small minded ourselves.


One can not and should not strive to attain higher status in life , whether intellectually or socially by limiting most of his verbosity and speech to criticizing and demeaning all around him , these are destructive feelings , not harmonious nor adequate to anyone striving for a happier and more accomplished life for himself and those around him .


Let's not hide ourselves behind some official education and complex text books , let's not show that through these we have learned to think better , to be more discriminating and more reflective people . Books and training manuals are undeniably good training tools for our minds , they help our methodologies , but it would be a grave mistake , to consider that we can achieve goals and make good progress in life and happiness simply by having internalized and memorized their contents .


The morally trained , rather than resenting or dodging their current life situation and duties , give thanks to them , and fully immerse themselves in their duties to their families , friends , neighbors and jobs , to their universality and the world . When we succumb to whining and grumpiness , we diminish our possibilities , and live a grim life .


The over evaluation of money , status and competition , poisons our personal relations . The flourishing life cannot be achieved until we learn how to moderate our desires and realize how superficial , transient and passing they are .


Many historians , philosophers  especially  the stoic ones among them , have worked with and translated the enduring appeal and widespread works and ideas of Epictetus . I chose to rely mostly on the excellent translations and interpretations of S. Lebell , greatly inspiring my actual blog .   My many thanks to her and to all my good readers as always .        

ROOTS , BASIC CAUSES AND HERITAGE ........

Most experts of the geopolitical scene in the Middle-East  agree by now , that the establishment of the modern Middle-Eastern political boundaries , and the establishment of its different countries , started during world war I , and came about to its final shape in the few years after ; 1919 - 1922 , when winners allied countries headed by Britain and France , introduced an artificial state system into the M-E , that transformed the whole region into countries that have not become real nations even today .


Imperialism , very quickly turning into colonialism , created borders and artificial states , extending from the southern Russian frontiers to the Indian ocean in the south , and from the Caspian sea in the east to the Mediterranean in the west . All to divide , conquer and annex lands ruled until then by the looser in war , the Ottoman empire .


In  fact , Arabs from the Hijaz and Egyptians , Syrians and Iraqis , Yemenis and North Africans , were all peoples of different histories , ethnic backgrounds and outlooks . The fictitious mosaic of peoples , all in abeyance and dormant for more than 500 years under Ottoman  rule , never managed to mix well , except for Islamic affiliation and connectedness to a certain majority.


Islam had always a semblance of unification , as the nation and its peoples believed , aspired and obeyed the reigning Musslem theocracy  rather than a national Turkish or Ottoman state . The Caliph was a symbol of Islam , and accepted strictly and only as a successor to the prophet Mohammad . All this changed in a matter of some very short years , 1919 to 22 of our last century .


It took Europe more than 1600 years to come to terms with its social and political identity  after the Roman era ended , and not until recently could they determine which nations were entitled to be states . In the modern M-E , it is far from being settled , whether it's religion or statehood , dynastic family rule , national states or little enclaves and city states . Whether it is Sunni or Shi'a , Christians , Alawite , Druz or Jewish Israelites .Who would command who , and rule ? or possibly all would , each within his little fief .


States all over the Middle-East were created , and boundaries were mapped to suit British and French interests , and Israeli  Jewish  aspirations , rather than those of the real local populations . The outcome of this paradoxical puzzle throughout the modern M-E , are entities that managed to come together , while others came apart , some countries learned to accept their borders and imposed frontiers , while others do not . Some grew into accepting their neighbors as independent states , others did not .


Mostly , countries of  British and French creation , under the famous " Sykes-Picot-Sazonov " arrangements and agreements , as in Saudi Arabia , all the Gulf Emirates , Iraq , Syria , Jordan ,Israel and Lebanon , even Egypt , the Sudan and north African states , all of these provide extensive and sufficient  examples of political immaturity , incompetence , brutality and hegemony .

If the Middle-East in its entirety is ever to achieve settling down and some durable peace and democracy , the real and only question would be ; when and how ?? The sure and down to earth realistic answer would be ; Not very soon .  My as always thanks to all .