Lessons Learned - Compare and

Lessons Learned - Compare and Contrast - Email correspondent Peter Jessen sent me this item from the Jerusalem Post (free registration required).

The article has a swiss bank full of money quotes. This one sort of sets the stage:

Since the fall of Baghdad last week, many Palestinians have joined the increasingly growing chorus of Arab writers, intellectuals, and politicians who argue that other Arab dictators should draw conclusions from his downfall.

The war in Iraq has bolstered Arab and Palestinian reformers who believe that the time has come for real change in the Arab world.

The change, they say, should begin by getting rid of the Arab despots and their corrupt regimes. In the words of one Palestinian analyst, "It's time for the Arab world to turn over the page of repression."

These quotes are not from people who are inherently friendly to the US!

Now - constrast the overall tenor of that piece with this one this one, by Julian Barnes in the Guardian:

Well, peacenik, are you happy now that peace is coming? No, because I don't think this war, as conceived and justified, was worth a child's finger. At least, are you happy that Saddam's rule is effectively over? Yes, of course, like everyone else. So, do you see some incompatibility here? Yes, but less than the incompatibilities in your position.

And in return, warnik, I have two questions for you. Do you honestly believe that the staggering bombardment of Iraq, televised live throughout the Arab world, has made Britain, America, and the home town of Torie Clarke, safer from the threat of terrorism? And if so, let me remind you of another statement by your war leader, Mr Blair. He told us, in full seriousness, that once Saddam was eliminated, it would be necessary to "deal with" North Korea. Are you getting hot for the next one - the humanitarian attack on Pyongyang?

Forget whether these people inhabit the same world we do. Ask whether the inhabit the same world as each other.

Posted by Mitch at April 16, 2003 08:02 PM