centrajapan, although you edited your post, i reply to it.
first of all, i do not tend to look at ME conflicts separately. And even more
i consider it as an insufficient approach. As well as you cannot review it without taking into account connection with outer world (and zionism is just a part of these connections). I am not going to discuss the origins of Zionism and degree of its extremes, it is far beyond the topic and even forum (there
numerous sources on the web and one can stuck with most comfortable for one`s mind).
I`ll try not to jump deep into history, though i cling to a different from Mars
Man`s position on that subject. Let`s start not so far: the fall of Ottoman
empire gave birth to several countries. Just one simple "but" which turns into
"butt" when you examine it carefully. The nations what inhabited the area weren`t left alone, the borders were drawn for them by "big brothers" who stuck their thingers in every pie and are not intended to leave even now. And it wasn`t much for sake and prosperity of arabian nations. Certainly, there were some good sides in that, but number of ugly ones is also significant.
the rest of the picture you can paint yourself with any colours. I`ll just ask
few questions which will make you dive into some historical events and, perhaps, psychology.
1) what is the core cry of palestinians? how different it from israeli`s or
kurds`?
2) what zionism had to do with confliccts between Iran and Iraq or Iraq and
Kuwait ?
3) what brought Afgans against each other (disregard the supporting sides of US and USSR) ?
4) what keeps Lebanon so unstable (apart from Iran-Syria-Israel trio) ?
5) if you read some palestinians bloggers you`ll find out that besides US and
Israel they point out to another cause of their problems. Who or what that
may be ?
I am all for self determination by a group of people if that is majority will.
so, what is your position on Kosovo, which is closer to you than ME ?
... just for a starter
Mars Man sama, i am sorry for drivig away from the topic, but my word -
i`ll get back to it in awhile
