| What has passed for "progress" in the Middle East region over the last several months is not the result of Bush's invasion of Iraq. |
| The positive events that have taken place in the Middle East during the early part of 2005 (Palestinian elections, Lebanese rejection of Syrian occupation, meager local elections in Saudi Arabia and the Orange Revolution in Ukraine) were the result of the initiative of local people and not a reaction to Bush's misguided adventure in Iraq. Palestinian elections were the result of the death of Yassar Arafat, which of course the US had no influence over. The elections in Saudi Arabia, although highly unusual, were not all that liberating. They allowed local residents to elect a minority of local officials for minor posts. No women were allowed to vote. The protests in Lebanon were sparked by the assassination of former opposition leader Rafiq Hariri. The assassination was likely sponsored at least in part by Syrian officials. Thus, the outpouring of resentment by the general population against Syrian occupation. Ukrainians witnessed blatant election fraud, and that after an attempt by the party in power to poison opposition leader Victor Yushchenko. Linking the Orange Revolution in Ukraine to Bush's occupation of Iraq is the longest reach of all. Actually, the Orange Revolution in Ukraine will likely be the event that gets the credit for inspiring the populist movements in the region. In any case, credit certainly won't be awarded to the mishandled Iraq occupation. |
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| Comments | Contributor | Date Submitted |
| Yeal, you should see the French video of our US solders holding Iraqs at gun point instucting them to pull down the Husane Staute while they video taped for our evening news. | robert tollison broken bow, ok |
3/26/2009 |
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