By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
President Obama's "Arab Spring" speech was remarkably comprehensive. It described the events that we now call the "Arab Spring" and explained their causes and consequences.
President Obama placed the United States squarely behind the democratic wave in the region, though he didn't specifically mention one country - Saudi Arabia - where America's interests and values most obviously clash.
I don't blame him. Street protests in Saudi Arabia might warm our hearts, but they could easily lead to $250-a-barrel oil and a global recession. That's a tough one.
Obama outlined specific policies to help consolidate the Arab revolutions. All good stuff.
And he also talked about the need for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - two states based on 1967 borders with land swaps that both parties agreed to, and a Palestinian partner that renounced terror - a blow at Hamas.
In other words, it was a comprehensive, fair and balanced speech. But the most difficult aspect of this Arab revolution is not in understanding it right now - its causes are clear. The problem is it remains very much unfinished business.
In Egypt, a successful people's movement dazzled the world and toppled a military dictatorship from power. But who is running Egypt these months later? A military dictatorship, complete with arbitrary arrests, torture, military trials and tear gas.
Will the Egyptian military genuinely devolve power to a democratic structure of authority? Will the military allow genuine economic reform that will disempower them and empower a new generation of Egyptians?
These are the obstacles to Egypt's democratic future right now. The United States should focus much of its attention on Egypt - the Arab world's largest state, the heart of Arab culture and a fount of ideas for the region. If Egypt succeeds, it will change the Arab world. If it fails - if this revolution fails - it will send a terrible message throughout the region.
Obama chose the right audience to give his speech, America's Foreign Service. As Arabs struggle to make a break from the past and enter the modern world, they will judge America not by a speech but by the countless actions of American diplomats over the next few months and years.
That's my take. What's yours? Let me know in the comment section below and through Twitter and Facebook. We'll feature the best Reader Takes here on CNN.com/GPS.
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so you think our cheap oil is more important than a people's democracy and freedom? shouldn't be a tough call.
Well said. Won't say a word about Saudi since it will drive up oil prices. It all comes down to money in the end.
This is the task of U.S. diplomats in the region. To secure us price stability in the West (high fuel prices will ultimately lead to inflation), at the same time peace in the region. Peace, at whose cost? Well, that's what shrewd diplomacy is for.
Egypt is, out of demographic point of view the most important country in the region. Due to its geography it has a key role to play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. So what comes out of the election later this year determines the country's futre. Right now the military is omnipresent and the country is governed by not far short of martial law. The political landscape is fragmented with many parties rallying for the parlament. The U.S. is indeed concerned who would succeed Mubarak. The two most prominent candidates are independent, not supported by any party. Will they have the votes of the masses? The two aren't exactly the apples of the U.S. eye. El Baradei and the U.S. have had a rocky past. Amr Moussa is, due to his critical stance on Israel not favoured. The other candidates are less known to the West. The world is watching closely, what's going to happen.
Cheap oil is most certainly more important to the United States government than the freedom of a foreign people. The pragmatic interests of one's own people come long, long before any goals rooted in idealism.
You wanna know what? It's more important to the vast majority of American people, as well, and that's as it should be. Our government exists to take care of us, not of some foreign people who matter not one iota to the jobless, homeless American fighting to survive in his own country. Cheap oil makes OUR lives better. I don't care about their lives any more than they care about ours. Anybody who says they do is either a liar or an idealistic idiot who has never had to endure real hardship. Let them spend a Michigan winter living on the street and we'll see just how fast they change their tune!
Fareed said that an American president or ANY OTHER president is not in a position to denounce the world's biggest oil producer so long as the world is addicted to oil. He DID NOT SAY that oil was more important than freedom. I don't know about you, but I DON'T have 8 to 10 dollars to pay for gas and neither do most Americans of the rest of the world for that matter. So that makes Saudi Arabia complicated.
Um.. Actually, the world is already paying $8 to$10 a gallon except America.
It's not like Iraq worked out so perfectly. People don't want another Iraq War where they went in there "liberating" people under Saddam's rule. There are, of course, various other reasons why Iraq War happened as well. Oil I don't think is the sole purpose of that war, as US probably only traded oil with Iraq to help jump-start Iraqi economy. Perhaps it was to draw Al Queda or Taliban out and use Iraq as a battlefield against the war in terrorism. Who knows? The reality is that servicemen were ordered to fire, many mistakes were made, and in the end were children and civilians dying. If not that, then it was cities becoming pillage-central where it is chaotic and no order.
Egypt is in a different state than Iraq but the chaos is already there. So what should the US do? Commit troops to something that might end up raising hell? It's not as simple as "these people need help, let's go." If that were the case, America would have invaded North Korea and liberate the prisoners in concentration camps that's over 600,000 large. Why don't the US do that though? China might declare war on us, and both China and US don't want that. America had become so dependent on Chinese economy, and China becoming dependent on our consumption rate, that diplomacy and declaring war is extremely difficult. People always protest against US gov saying diplomacy over war.
Well, this is what happens when you choose diplomacy over war. I'm not saying it's wrong but what it does is put us in this standstill while people continuously suffer. The same people who advocate for peace against war will criticize US for not declaring war and liberating these people... and if US DOES deploy into Egypt, people will again criticize for its violent and imposing nature.
But you're right. Oil should not be so prized by the US. After all, you can produce biofuel from numerous amounts of sources. It leaves me no choice but to suspect that rich CEO's and politicians who regulate oil are beginning to regulate war and diplomacy around the world. Because drilling for oil will allow them to sell for a high price due to the high demand. And the supply is limited with the fear of "peak oil" all over the world. People don't realize that producing vast amounts of biofuel replacing the plantations used to grow genetically altered corn in the US would contribute somewhat... but there would be a food shortage in many places.
So who's in the right? There's a lot to think about, but little choices to make. Don't be too quick to judge the decisions of the government because in the end they ARE thinking the best outcome for self national interest. AKA, the successful outcome will bring US glory and wealth. Just be careful for the costs of glory and wealth are the lives of many brave men.
Well, looks like Bush's dream of democracy spreading has started to come true.
We should give him Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.
Oh, Paula. Sweet, naive, Paula.
OF COURSE the survival of our nation is more important than that of other nations. That's why we have a strong military. To give YOU the freedom to make stupid comments on the internet.
I understand the need for cheap oil, and the need for the United States to prosper. China also needs oil but I prefer their way of going about securing their interests than America's method of military intervention – call me crazy if you want.
Is America about prosperity or principles? I think there is a heavy leaning towards prosperity, or at least getting out of the economic doldrums. At least you have freedom, but from here it does not look like freedom has done much good.
frank you ignorant ,so many good american diplomats working every day to protect america's interest by diplomacy not by military or threats cause it did not work for your hero george bush .as long as america has uncivilized people like you it will always be hard for good americans to do their job .
Thank you Fareed, I was very pleased with your show today. I understand you will have an interview with Muslims Brotherhood leader next Sunday, Pls ask him the following questions:
Are Muslims Brotherhood plan to apply El Sharia once they are in power?
Are Muslims Brotherhood plan to add a statement in the new constitution to protect the Christians Copts and not to apply Sharia as far as marriage...etc?
Why Muslims Brotherhood are against against delaying the next parliamentary election and drafting the permanent consitiution prior the parliamentary election?
Why Muslims Brotherhood ignored every single public meeting to discuss the future of Egypt?
Where Muslims Brotherhood get their funds?
Why Muslims Brotherhood allowed radicals muslims to join their party?
Please read the following to understand where I am coming from...
Protests started on Tuesday, January 25, when - inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia - thousands began taking to the streets to protest poverty, rampant unemployment, government corruption and autocratic governance of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for 30 years. At no time protests was for an Islamic revolution or to transform Egypt to Islamic State.
You can’t expect democracy in Egypt when the country is facing economic crisis and part of its populations can barely read newspapers, in addition the urban areas are poor, the semi-educated youths from the country’s awful state universities are unemployed and a good slice of Egypt’s populations constitute insignificant middle class that an barely have food on the table. During last referendum on the constitution the slogan given to the majority of people “if you are Muslim and hope to be in haven vote yes” The question lingering I wanted to explore is why Muslims brotherhood alone in opposition to all other parties in Egypt is against delaying the next parliamentary election and drafting the permanent consitiution prior the parliamentary election?
The answer is very simple: Muslims brotherhood represents the only political power in Egyptian scene now and they are expected to have a landslide win in the next parliamentary election, once they are in power they will draft the permanent consitiution which makes Egypt an ISLAMIC STATE appling Sharia law. If you follow the news closely, a large number of strong Islamic radicals who were released from the prisons, in addition, more than 200 Islamic Egyptian Islamic radicals were granted entrance to Egypt after they spent years in Afghanistan joined the Muslims brotherhood. I wouldn’t be surprised after they win the election, they gain control over Al-Azhar, a prominante Islamic institution in the middle east, ALL student unions and professional syndicates, city councils in Egypt… etc
The history of Muslims brotherhood is bloody to say the least and it's naive to believe they will renounce violence, they have proven, not to be trusted. The problem is the majority of Americans are not familiar with the Muslims brotherhood believes which states for Muslims to kill any and all infidels in the name of God and they will find a place in heaven. Infidels would be anyone who is a non-believer of the Muslim faith. The essence of their ideology (contrary to what they say now) preaches war and violence. The organization's motto is as follows: “Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. Qur'an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.” Their logo means Muslim Brotherhood Quran and Swords. Their ideology is virulently anti-Semitic anti-Western and anti-democratic in principle. By their own admission, the Muslims brotherhood has branches in 70 countries and they exist as a militant clandestine group, and has been connected to many underground political operations. Recently a radical Muslim declared the Middle East “The Islamic United Arab”
US have been fighting terrorism and Islamic radicals for ten years now and the war still underway. What is happening now in Egypt is rewarding terrorism by allowing Muslims brotherhood gaining power and a legal status. Egyptians, particularly the minority Coptic Christians who form approx. 10% of the population, can expect their churches to be burned to the ground or vandalized, their women and girls to be sexually assaulted and raped with impunity, kidnapped and forcibly converted to Islam.
This is the missing truth about Egyptian revolution, although it started as a youth revolution, eventially it will end-up Radical Islamic revolution. I am afraid we replaced dictators with a monster, God help United States and the whole world fighting this monster in the making and Christians especially the Copts are the causlity. I think US should have a say in how that money granted to Egypt is spent and should insist that Egypt provide "protection Copts and their places of worship. U.S. should help Egypt to draft a new constitution and a robust bill of rights, guaranteeing freedom of religion and freedom to women.
Well said.........
The Egyptian youth you presented in your show are by no means representitives of Egyptian youth who needed this revolution. American University of Cairo students caters to the elite and powerful Egyptians and who have enjoyed the Mubarak regime very much. It is against this class of people that the revolution is against. You really got it wrong Farid.
Being an Egyptian and having lived there, the repressed youth are unable to talk
Welcome to American Politics....they know what to say to get your vote but following through with what got them elected was never part of the promise. This is a tradition that started long before Obama and will contiue its not right....its American Politics.
Furthermore....fight your own battles the U.S is always getting run down for interfering with other countries and now we are getting cut on for not interfering soon enough. Sounds like these people are enjoying their freedom of speech and true to form with freedom of speech comes the freedom to complain.
@Jamielee79
Every Sunday, millions of Christians around the world listen to Scripture read out loud from a church pulpit. Many people read the Bible aloud at the dinner table or recite their daily devotional readings. . Why Christian Copts should be different?
Since the revolution three Churches have been burned, more than four cold-blooded massacres have been committed against Coptic Christians, resulting in the injury and murder of men, women, and children, and untold loss of businesses and property. As much as 45 young girls have been kidnapped and forcibly converted to Islam…
Is it too much to ask? Or stating the truth becomes a complaint….
flex10 very busy predicting the future of egypt just like fareed scaring every body with muslim brotherhood .its gona be freeand fair elections in egypt the people will choose who to represent them and i quarentee you muslim brotherhood will win seets but not majority .iam no supporter of the brotherhood but they suffered under dictatorship like every one else so they have every right to go to the polls .flex arab dictators will fall thats your nightmare copts and israelis a like.you love arab dictators cause they serving your intrest and who cares how many people die in the process.
Obama chose the right audience to give his speech, America's Foreign Service. As Arabs struggle to make a break from the past and enter the modern world, they will judge America not by a speech but by the countless actions of American diplomats over the next few months and years.
I watch your show and read your articles religiously. I agree with the vast majority of your views and respect the rest. However, today when discussing Obama's Arab policy, you said that he specifically didn't name Saudi Arabia, "the place where America's interests and values most obviously clash" and that "you can't blame him." The reason you gave was that the price of oil would go to $250/barrel and that might cause economic pain to US citizens. Obviously, this equates to paying off interested parties in order to commit immoral acts. Maybe we should let all wealthy criminals go free? I'm hoping that you didn't mean that. Furthermore, I hope that you clear this up as soon as possible and state your opinion, which I'm also hoping is obvious.
1) am not sure egypt wouldn t be jumping
from the frying pan into the fire if the muslim
brotherhood were to win elections(assuming
there are free elections),in egypt.the ikhwani
have been a wellspring of the islamist movement,and i am not sure the re. – imposition of the caliphate or shariah is what
the egyptian protesters had ib mind.
2)i have to applaud obama s insistence that
israel return to it s 1967 borders,as a basic
part of a palestinian settlement. while it will
be difficult for israel to accept this, israel is
presently surrounded by unsettled but universally hostile neighbors and would
do well to settle with the palestinians once
done they could deal more decisively with
the more dangerous enemy iran and it s
puppets hizbollah and hamas.
@john dailey
Muslims Brotherhood are willing exploit anyone in order to hijack the Egyptian revolution for their own agenda and to enforce the Sharia law, For 80 years Muslim Brotherhood were actively trying to destabilize Egypt’s secular government and replace it with an Islamic dictatorship.
Fareed Zakarea himself thought they are after 30% of the seats in the next parliamentary election then they called for 50%. Their goal is to have ISLAMIC STATE... At one point, all radical Muslims and terrorists were members of their organization. Hamas founder himself was a member of Muslims Brotherhood. THEY CAN”T BE TRUSTED.
This is 2011. Obama did not said that 1967 borders between Isreal and Palestine is final. He did not say 1948 or 2011 either. Picture a DONUT. It has two circles inner and outer. Outer circle is 2011 and inner circle is 1967. There is an immegenary dot in the middle which is 1948. Obama said with a land swap 1967 borders. Right now HAMAS want 0% land for JEWISH people. Isreal's right wing leaders want 100% land for jewish people. If they (jewish and muslims) want peace they have to compromise. Obama has voice not only from American Jewish people but also from Arab countries, and what he is saying is after listening to all the leaders from several countries but he is not forcing any thing on Jewish or MUslim people but he is only SUGGESTING. I remember when 1967 war brook inbetween Isreal and Arabs. Isreal has 6 million jewish people now and if you add all the Palistenian in Isreal, Gaza, West Bank and refugees in Jordan, Eygpt, Syria, Lebnon and other countries they must be more than 6 million. In 1984 I was in Karachi, Pakistan, and I went to a big market to buy some fruits.They had big oranges, shopkeeper told me they are JAFFA Oranges. I said Jaffa is in Isreal and Pakistan and Isreal has no trade. He said that some way we get the seed and grow them. I remeber that my cousin came from Australia in 1968, he brought a white beutiful woolen switer as a gift, it has a label which said MADE IN ISREAL. Arabs were living in apartment above mine one day at least 15 years ago some one left an envelope of tomoto seeds on my door with the name of those arabs. I remeber the news when arabs wanted to buy the land from Isreal they lost in 1967 war. Now time has changed and what ever CIA or Mosad have on their files is yesterdays fact. Todays facts are that all the 7 billion people on this world want to live in PEACE.
The overthrow of Mubarak was received with joy by many in the Arab world because they saw or felt that the voices of the common person, the intellectual, budding politician and the wise old had been suppressed for decades.
Since there was no credible and official opposition, a vacuum was imminent and if it was left to manifest itself, Egypt would have gone the Somali way–a failed and fragmented–state run by warlords.
The military and their local and foreign backers saw that the only way out was to create a political buffer zone.
They were watching the biggest threat of them all, called 'the wounded lion' of Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood.
What would happen if they found themselves in power? Who are likely to be their victims if they were to take revenge now that Mubarak and his cronies are out?
THE ARMY, THE ARMY.
I chew teck weng or skyson
Since when the president of USA, and the leader of the Democratic Party calls state by it’s religion (Jewish state) what happened to the very foundation of the democracy.
Why the Americans administration are angry from the Palestinian reconciliation. Abbas with his so called authority impose them self’s since 2007 to the Israelis and for 4 years the Israelis responded that Palestinian authority is not a real peace partner, can any body explain? I guess even Hamas renounced terror Israelis will find another part to blame.
but 4 revolution to suceed Egypt must move towards a democracy,and for democratic process to suceed,we must have a party lead by a Democratic leader,as i see it,after mobarak,there is NO National Leader present who represents the movement,with whom US/NATO/Arab league or African Union can engage with for movement towards democracy,the one national party known is muslim brotherhood,who we all know will take Egypt the Iran way,.........so the question is what next or rather we should ask WHO NEXT.....
Fareed, I agree with you about the speech. It was a good one, however as an outside observer I find the 'iron clad' alliance with Israel seems very prejudicial towards other countries in the region. Political alliances are necessary, but only when it serves the interests of that country. To give a blank cheque to any country for political support and military assistance is very one-sided and ultimately seems to be very unwise.
The current fate of Egypt was predicted many weeks ago, before Mubarak left, so no-one should be surprised. Peaceful demonstrations and an orderly transition is best, without the disruption of the tourist economy and loss of life that has ensued here. One cannot have a perfect revolution, but here in Egypt the revolution appears to have stalled, and seems to be somewhat of a failure. There are good revolutions and bad ones, hopefully the less violent the better for all sides.
I cannot accept that any and every rebellion is just because it is a rebellion, as history shows, like the 'just war' doctrine, rebellions also need to have a 'just rebellion' test : its aims should be noble, it should be winnable, and all other options should be exhausted. Still rebellions are bloody and messy. What we have now in Libya is an efficient way of generating refugees and human suffering, not to mention wasting billions of dollars.
Shut up. Egypt's fate should be in it's own hands, or are it's people too much like apes?
After decades of repression under Mubarak, the country does not have much of a foundation to build on. There is no opposition to the only organized political party represented in Muslims brotherhood with its radical views of democracy. The revolution replaced a dictator with a monster. In addition, economic crisis is looming and no one in the right mind would entertain the idea of democracy in a violent civil disobedience. Give me a break….
Of course Egypt isn't free, it is still dominated by that death cult Islam.
Forget Egypt, Pakistan which celebrates independence every year is still not free.
educate the people (not about islam and it's by products) but stuff that really helps people live better.
wish to see a democratic, secular world.
Economic reform alone is unlikely to enable either lasting peace or true democracy in Egypt or any other country where Islam plays a dominant role. The reason is fundamental: the totalitarian ideology of Islam is incompatible with the tenets of a democratic society. Peace and democracy can only occur when Islam is reformed.
Fareed ,please screen your guests.You tried to coax the 4 Egytian kids to salute Obama and all 4 declined.Your bias is profound.You should apply forr work with NPR,they pay better($200000.00-500000.00per annum)
Fareed,
Is it true that you've met with Obama a few times to discuss his Middle East policy? If so, how in the world can you objectively comment? Is there some reason that this isn't a complete conflict-of -interest and abdication of journalistic integrity? You begin this fawning piece saying that his speech was "remarkably comprehensive". Wouldn't this column be a bit more "comprehensive" if you'd added " ... and I helped!"?
Unless I'm missing something and don't understand the fundamentals of journalism's guiding principles - perhaps there is no such thing as conflicts-of-interest, maybe you don't have to disclose anything about your relationships with story subjects - you have some explaining to do.
Every morning these guys get a "talking point" sheet from the W.House.Mika B. got busted outright.It's a bit dangerous when a political party owns the Press.
The problem for Obama is that the revolts have come without America being directly involved so he's not in a position to do much more then talk without being seen as usurping the movement which would damage it. It's a difficult line without many good answers, so he's just trying not to say anything too wrong, which is probably right.
Christina Moorshead
The current Government of Iran is the result of a popular uprising against the secular/ authoritarian Government lead by the Shah of Iran. Libya, Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan and Egypt, can look in the mirror of Iran and see what it will become.
After the ""armed"" Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, Hamas etc. quiets the ""unarmed"" voices of democracy through intimidation and murder all the above states will become radicalized Islamic theocracies.
Calls to abrogate the peace treaty with Israel have already been announced by the Muslim Brotherhood. That is not a goal of a peaceful democratic movement.
Google this Thread: Muslim Brotherhood, abrogate the peace treaty with Israel.
The Muslims Brotherhood meets the definition of a "terrorist organization," under the Patriot Act. “Terrorist organizations are legally defined as groups of two or more individuals that have "committed, incited, planned, prepared, gathered information or provided material support for terrorist activities." However, terrorist activity can in some instances include even "indirect" actions such as group membership and advocacy”. You could easily trace most famous radical terrorists to the Muslims Brotherhood.
It took US 10 years to fight 9/11 attackers and it will take a century to fight the monster in the making in Egypt namely Muslims Brotherhood.
At best, one woman-suppressing Islamo-fascist regime will replace another woman-suppressing Islamo-fascist regime. Islam is Islam and you can't fix stupid.
A country with 80 million people, either way you cut it, either you going to be among the rich or among the poor. They are no middle class. The country is lacking social reform, home for the homeless, soup hall for the hungry. If that part of the population is taking care off, it would be easier to control any movement to improve the economical situation. Most of the people during the demonstrators were the poor, the unemployed, the hungry, the homeless and the college educated that couldn't find employment. The rich and the well off were far away in their cafe sipping coffee and looking at the scenery, and try to articulate few word in front of the camera. If any improvement is needed in Egypt it needs to start with the poor which probably are about 90% of the population, for that Egypt will need assistance, financial assistance which they can get if it falls in the right hands to build social centers and improve that section of the population. It would take a leader that is willing to act on reforms. Right now the military is not capable to do just that, maybe they are not even qualify to act on making reforms. The young generation need to act quick to enter the political arena and make the right changes, if not the situation will remain as is and it might even deteriorate with the military taking over. The military is there to fight war and defend their people but not to create jobs.
The average age of this woman-suppressing, Islamic garbage dump is around 24. Good luck finding nation-builders among that demographic. Soon, whatever leadership arises, will have to divert the people from their desperate straits in order to survive and that would point to a conflict with Israel especially after Obama's recent encouragement.
As no now, USA needs rising oil price control by diplomatic way or by any means before it escalated to new height. Along with oil prize, democratic set up of new government in Egpt is very important. USA is changing its world policy as per the present need and that we feel from Obama's speech.
I really enjoyed reading the article, but i would like to write my personal comment....
Firstful the Egyptain military never failed before for any people's interest, it may came out dictatoric leaders from the military but that does not mean all thier leaders are corrupt, secondly the military does not have any conflict to do a political/economic reform and keep thier positions, in anyway they will be running thier matters on thier own, and in those few days after Mubarak's regime has been gone, they are governing the country and doing thier best.
I personally do not want a military leader, this time we should and focus on a civil direction, but the Egyptain military is not a contiunous Mubarak's regime !!
Of course we have been more interested in cheap oil than in the freedom of foreign peoples. However, has the oil really been cheap? Over the past 20 years it's cost us trillions of dollars in addition to the pump price. Trillions of dollars spent on two wars in Iraq, which lead to trillions of dollars in lost wealth following the 9/11 attacks (inspired by our troops in the "Holy Land"), which lead to another war in Afghanistan, also costing many 100s of billions. All of this because we chose to defend the oil in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia from Saddam Hessein. If you factor in just the financial costs of all of those event, how much would gasoline actually have cost?
Plus, we had to give up all sorts of principles in exchange for cheap gas. We gave up enormous personal liberties via the Patriot Act, we incite the violence of the world's nut-cases, we torture people after detaining them without charge, we support brutal dictators, we entangle ourselves in cultures with which we share no values.
This is an AWFUL lot to pay for "cheap" gas.
If we just minded our own business and let the Middle East implode, oil prices would spike. But the world would respond in part with increased production elsewhere. More importantly, it would respond with a move towards conservation and efficiency, both of which are easily possible technologically, but are not cost-competitive as long as the government keeps world oil prices artificially low with constant military, financial and diplomatic interventions
Let's do what we do best. Let's stop playing the oil game, and instead invent a new game in which we don't rely on oil anymore. Let's let the Chinese have the oil...and the headaches that go with it.
Sid
Fareed Zakaria – pimping for Obama and Soros. A plant. A stooge. Bought and paid for by The One and Spooky Dude. This explains the fawning interview he had with his paymaster, George Soros.
Selfishness is the root of all evil, violence is the tree of that evil, and slavery is the fruit of all evil. All males of all species of living things are naturally selfish for males do not bear offsprings as females do. Ergo, males selfishly seek to conquer and enslave the females and offsprings of its species in the effort to make themselves (the males) dominant and important, lords and masters of the females and their offsprings. That, than, is the purpose of religion: to denigrate, dominate and enslave the human female and their children. That is what Islam, Christianity and all the rest of the other religions are all about: enslavement of the human female.
Dear Farid, one recommendation is to set up an OECD type organization for the Arab world – OECD-AW. Neither the Arab League, not Organization for Islamic Countries fill the gap for serious economic and developmental research. This is one area we can start developing some new thinking, approaches and NEW institutions to tackle economic, environmental and development issues. There is lots of good YOUNG talent in the Arab world that can run with this idea – with the help of others. annie
What Economic Recovery? Let's Get Doped Into Foreign Affairs to Forget the Failing Economy.
While we drop bombs in Muslim countries financed with debt money, and worry about Egypt and democracy in countries that want us out, the Communist Chinese announced that they are buying large amounts of European government debt and that they opened a direct railroad linking China with Antwerp, Belgium in Western Europe. Europe is now China’s largest market. Europe is now globalized like America with their global corporations exporting their industrial base to China. Last year China announced that they have a controlling interest in Iraqi oil and are receiving oil from their Iraqi oil fields. The Communists understand capitalism better than we do and that economic power controls governments.
In the USA only 9% of the economy is industrial. 76% of the jobs created during the "recovery" pay $9 or less per hour with little of no benefits. 47% of American households are too poor to pay income taxes. The Federal Government must beg and borrow $1.65 trillion dollars this year. Many States and local governments are bankrupt. Local Property taxes are crushing the middle class in many States invaded by illegal aliens. Their children consume Medicaid and school services. Bankrupt States like New York have dumped welfare Medicare costs on the counties.
In Europe from Spain to Greece people are protesting that they have no future because there are no jobs. Europe like America exported its industrial base to China and Third World cheap labor countries. European governments are as deep in debt as America and their economies are failing under globalization.
According to the US government's own statistics 36% of men 16 to 64 years old are out of the work force. Most don't count because they are not looking for work. It takes money to look for work, after a while people vanish from the unemployment statistics.
Obama got us involved into a third Muslim war to get us deeper into the Israeli-Muslim conflict that caused us to inherit Israel's enemies. The "war of Terror" has cost us in ten years $5 trillion dollars and now a powerful special interest group of war contractors wants permanent war at taxpayer expense. Over 57% of Americans fighting the war on terror are contractors not military. In Iraq there are 50,000 U.S. military forces and 63,000 contractors.
In my blog I loaded George Washington's "Farewell Address" advising America. I highlighted the parts that we are violating. the folly of "Loved Nations" and "Hated Nations" intervening in foreign affairs, why we should keep contacts with foreigners to the bare minimum necessary for commercial relations etc. China is following this advice and we are committing the folly of ignoring it.
Roman Gil
http://roman-gil1.blogspot.com
As long as towel heads exist, there will be no freedom for Egypt.
Never thought you are that naive..... was that all about that.??? Naaa I dont think sooo.... where is s t u p i d's mubarak's money????? yeah yeah i also talking about both white and black money....???? Dracula need blood...!!!
How can any Islamic country EVER be free?
Convert or Else… In such an atmosphere, radical Muslims flourish. Jihadists demand a swift and if necessary, violent conversion of the non-Muslim world. How could anyone claim freedom when they are forced to Islam? During the last two months alone 45 young Christians Coptic girls were kidnapped between the ages of 17 – 28 and forced to Islam. Makes you wonder why they are targeting young women? Not a single man was converted… is it because of the 70 virgins they are promised to have in heaven for each young girl they convert here???
By the way…The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent bipartisan federal agency, last month added Egypt to a list of countries named as the worst violators of religious freedom.
obviosly you are not an american ,you are an egyptian copt .are you crying releigous freedom so you can get more green cards and wellfare beneifts for them you think you can fool americans with that you gota do better than this .you can complain all you want about islam your god father mubarak is out with the rest of the mobsters you can call him and ask him to take your ungrateful nation to safety .
@forest
In all your responses you intentionally ignored to mention any fact to support your claims. Classic response of Muslims Brotherhood as I stated before you are willing exploit anyone or any topic in order to hijack the Egyptian revolution for your own agenda and to enforce the Sharia law.
My simple answer is to go and read human rights reports issued by the State department about Egypt for the last ten years to see for yourself how Christians Copts suffered under Mubarak regime.
One might wonder how an organization can be thought to have renounced violence when it has inspired more jihadists than any other. First, we must understand that the Muslims Brotherhood is not confined to Egypt, but actually operates around the globe, with full-fledged branches throughout the Middle East and influence organizations in the West.
May be you could answer these questions.. why Muslims Brotherhood are against delaying the upcoming parliamentary elections? Why they want to draft the consitution after the election?
Musims Brotherhood are bad news for the whole world…
Fareed just figured this out? He'd be better off learning how to grow tomatoes.
I think Fareed is going to break down and cry if Obama isn't re-elected. He's more a kiss-ass than Chris Matthews even!
Netanyahu: "America is Easy to Push Around (English Subtitles)"
Fareed Zakaria – pimping for Obama and Soros. A plant. A stooge. Bought and paid for by The One and Spooky Dude. This explains the fawning interview he had with his paymaster, George Soros. Fareed doesn't like Israel much.
A review of the constitution is a very good idea. I think we need to review our expectations of government and improve everyones knowledge of the document. I think deciding what government should be doing and financing those expectations would be a very good thing. Redrawing the map of the US might be a terrible idea. Regardless we need to have a conservation as a nation on the expectations of government on all levels and then be prepared to finance our expectations.
From Iceland; I like the Idea of not allowing corporations to make campaign or political contributions.