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Pakistan is not a country. It is a failed British fantasy about the fabrication of a nation-state. It has other failed and failing peers in the Middle East, all fabricated during the 20th century. It is time to seriously review all of these structures and redraw the borderlines.
I have no choice but to disagree with David Ignatius’ recent column comparing recent events in Pakistan to the run-up to the Iranian Revolution. Recent events do not resemble that era or its atmosphere.
Three decades ago, about 30 million Iranians simply wanted to have the most basic democratic opportunity: to elect their own leaders and parliament and pursue independence within their own borders. The Indian model might serve as a good example. No Iranian wants (or ever wanted to be part of) a machine to wreak random violence or to let proliferation of hate and terror originate from Iran.
“The Lobby” has stormed Washington like Bolshevik mobs and their revolutionary jamboree at the Winter Palace. But their goal appears to be a concerted effort to make a Napoleon out of American leaders. They want to change the legal system, remove all opposition and install puppet kings in Europe. Of course, Napoleon’s quick decision to attack Russia (today’s Iraq?) proved to be a disaster that ruined French finances and reputation.
The Lobby has spread itself across a wide spectrum of organizations to achieve its goals. One is a joint American-Israeli “committee.” Others hide behind think-tank and NGO labels that push “policy” or dispense “enterprise” ideas in the form of cash, skewed analysis and hype. All promise a Kingdom brighter than any that Heaven has to offer.
Israel is gaming Washington for tactical survival. The aim is nothing more than shortsighted militarist games, but the “win” remains elusive. The Lobby cannot help it: the idea of a peaceful refuge for Jews after the atrocities of World War II has flopped. Violence and bloodshed, be it Jewish or Arab, is now the daily fare.
I do not see a worldwide recession. The economies of heartland Europe and other parts of the world have decoupled from the American economy over the last decade. Emerging giants (China, India and Russia) and other economies appear to have a fundamental growth scenario. I tend to believe that the American economy is set to lose the froth on top and the U.K.’s economy might follow. Therefore, we ought to examine the question from a distinctly American point of view.
It is a difficult era for the American economy. The EU is now the top economic producer in the world. High energy prices are exposing inefficiencies in American consumption, even though the overall energy bill of America is proportionally smaller than, say, thirty years ago. The issue is that other efficiencies are squeezed out of the American economy and there is little wiggle room in fiscal balances. The bitter truth is about the hyper-economy and how it is set to face the consequences of irresponsible borrowing. Assortments of public and private debt, one-way bets on income growth, and negative savings have converged with other factors such as an expensive war and anti-immigration policies.
It is the season to be thankful for what we have and I am always grateful. Of course, I can always be ungrateful and come up with a surging list of challenges, repackaged as a wish list about politics, the environment, finance, culture, entertainment and a ton of other lofty goals. Or perhaps I could whine about wars, terror, or implosion of countries supported by shaky foundations. However, I am a realist and a conservative and, like most people in the Middle East have been trained from childhood, I am thankful for what I have even as I always hope for a better tomorrow. A surge, in logic and goodwill, will be most welcome.
“Goodwill begets goodwill” were the words of the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush, in his keynote inauguration speech about the New World Order after communism. It might be useful to reflect upon the past nineteen years with those words in mind and consider how we all managed to squander so many chances for real peace and tranquility. Is it really a good idea to replace diplomacy with trash talk and cheap labels borrowed from Europe’s days between the two world wars?
In this part of the world, people wish for common courtesy and the essence of civility. Admittedly, at times, emotions and frustration tend to overtake the region’s ability to maintain a cool head and a calm posture. However, the desires and wishes of people in this part of the world are no different from Main Street, USA: an enigmatic desire for equitable peace, fairness in a quest for justice, and an insistence on preserving one’s dignity and mutual respect. The rest will fall into place and cool-headed exchanges around a table will follow. Who knows, commerce and good humor might even follow and the material side of life might improve in due course! Shopping is a surge in human rights these days!
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