Why do we Americans ignore the big issue in the Middle East?

Question

Here's a question I could use some help understanding.

Why is that with all the discussion going on about the Iraq war and U.S. relations with the Middle East, the most obvious question has yet to be disussed?

(I'm of coruse referring to the question of "Why do fundamental Islamic groups hate the U.S.?")

I am an American, and I think if we ask this question we'll realize that our constant presence in the Middle East is the cause of this animosity. We might even go so far as changing our approach for the benefit of future generations.

But nobody is having this discussion!

My question again: Why is nobody asking this question and having this discussion about America's long-term presence in the Middle East?

Answer 1

A question within a question within a question that you've already answered.the problem is Americas long term presence.

"Why do fundamental Islamic groups hate the U.S.?"

I would dispute your analysis that hating America is the raison d'etre of fundamental Islamic groups.
They are really pan-Arab or nationalist revolutionaries seeking to gain control in their own sic. countries. Algeria, Philipines, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia. {Iran Hezbolla Lebanon}.
The lack of political and social development in muslim countries, makes them fertile breeding grounds for the revolutionary message, But not all people want to submit to such a twisted idealogy.

So OBL sitting in Afganistan was a long way from seizing control of Saudi oil. The easiest way to recruit support; 9/11..... 3000 non combatants murdered. (Well 400 dead Africans hadn't got anyones attention)

"Our constant presence in the Middle East is the cause of this animosity".

The Middle East is obviously a complicated region of vital strategic importance to the world economy.
It's history runs from the cradle of civilisation, to the Glorious Epoch of Muslim merchants go betweens for Europe and China, to the irrelevance of the decaying Ottoman Empire, to the passage to the east (Suez Canal) British Empire, French, to the full circle of Black Gold.

The region has had the Turks, the British, finally Pax Americana, from colonisation to cold war proxy wars in less than 100 years.

Oil has put them in a position as chess pieces for the Super Powers but it also provides them untold opportunity.

Far worse is the condition of those parts of the world with no strategic significance. Dafour 300.000 dead Congo 4.000.000 dead, and with less American involvement.


Of course your question is not why we don't discuss our policy, and why do we stay there?

That is exactly what is being considered by everyone associated with policy making in the United States Government.

So here is a link to Senate hearings concerning policy towards a nuclear Iran. Of course they would like us to leave so they can dominate the region, But not all their neighbours would support that.

http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2006/hrg060919a.html

We should evaluate what is the best policy in our interest, in efficacy, in minimising human suffering and act hoping you're doing the right thing.

Such is the stuff of global politics. It was so, long before the US called the shots, and will continue to be so after our priviledged position is taken by another power.

Good questions though. Upon our generaion lies the responsibility to do the right thing.

RATE GOOD DEBATE

Answer 2

With a flawed premise, the conclusions of an argument are likely to be flawed as well.
I'm pretty sure the majority opinion is that your premise is flawed.
If the reason for Islamic fundamentalists' hatred for the U.S. were indeed U.S. intervention, then the discussion you ask about would doubtless occur, but most folks see this as a smokescreen. America is just a convenient target for a lot of hatred that would be simply directed elsewhere if America disappeared tomorrow, and we are only trying to enforce a Pax Americana because of a social obligation to the world that we have inherited (without seeking) as the sole remaining superpower. Those old enough or with a sense of history may even draw a rough parallel: it seemed to many at the time that Hitler's position on the Sudetenland was reasonable.
I'd also ask you to look within yourself. How do you feel about the Fundamentalist Christian activists on the far right in our country? You like them a lot, don't you? (At least you don't have an AK47 or RPG hunting them.) The bottom line is that whether we like it or not, there are people in the world who cannot be dealt with except by force of arms.

Answer 3

I respect your ideal but if you research the Middle East at all from their sites - you will see they want us out of the Middle East and anywhere else that has a Muslim population.
They honestly and vocally want Americans dead. Not our government but anyone in the Middle East.
Why because we aren't a Muslim nation. We don't practice Islam. Our government is not ran and based on the Koran. So our lives are not important. Our death would open the land for their settlement and expand Islam.

I have had numerous discussions with friends in the Middle East. They have an issue with fundamentalist Muslims but they will not speak out against them. As these fanatic Muslims will be punished in the hereafter.

If Americans leave the Middle East are you willing to leave Asia?Africa? the Mediterranean region? Where is the next place fundamentalist Muslims will want us out of? Are you willing to spend the rest of your life in America with no option of leaving because fundamentalist Muslims don't want you to?

Answer 4

You're still mad at them over something that happened nearly forty years ago, so now you think they should wait until Tehran attacks them and destroys half their country before they do anything? Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and our strongest ally at the UN. NO other nation has voted with us as often as Israel. Israel isn't the problem over there, Iran is. Israel needs to do whatever is necessary to protect and defend it's people, period. It's too bad we don't have anyone like Netanyahu leading our nation. Biden is an idiot on National Defense and foreign relations and so is the Howdie Doody he works for. At least Netanyahu doesn't go around bowing in submission to the kings of countries that produce the very mujahideen that want to destroy the U.S.

Answer 5

Ok I am going to tell it how it is. The middle east hates the US because we are susscesful and mostly not Muslim. "They hate Christians". They also hate Europe and other Christian parts of the world too. The reason we have been occupying the mid east is beacause we are trying to stop the problem at is source, so no event like 9-11 happens again. Your right that destroying terroism can't make them any happier though. Hope that helped!!!

Answer 6

Hello,

Because many Americans and people abroad are not well versed on the teachings of the Holy Bible.

If one would read Genesis 17, all your questions would be answered as to why we are hated in the middle east and why there is still war in the middle east.

To answer your question, I believe the leadership of America and Europe are wanting to usher in the anti christ. It is that easy and simple. Just because they do not believe in the Living God does not mean they do not read the Bible and know how events in history are to be played out.

Hope this helps you............................ : - O

Answer 7

Battered wife syndrome does not make good national policy. Thinking that if we stop upsetting them they will not hurt us anymore would be a huge mistake. Unless of course, you want to live without western culture where woman are equal to men and religious freedom and speech exist.

Answer 8

some people are...just not the people that count.
bush is constantly ignoring this question.................wonder why. (sarcasm)