Who thinks we have any business over in the Middle East except to conduct business, or proclaiming the Gospel?

Question

or humain reasons?

Answer 1

Outsiders have as much business in a place as its inhabitants want. Uninvited guests are always unwanted guests.... if they stay they are occupiers, if they attack they are invaders.
Only the people of the M.E can answer this question. It is not a decision for Westerners to make.

Answer 2

Only your first reason is valid. Both the others would get us into the same hornet's nest we are in at the moment. So I would say making money and archaeology.
"There is something about the middle east that seems to take men's wits away. Who can explain the Foreign Office's enthusiasm for the Arabs?" - AJP Taylor.
I quoted this to an old Saudi hand and he replied, "Homoeroticism is the answer to that question."

Answer 3

Middle East has been and will continue to be a flashpoint for next several decades.
Thanks largesly to being occupied first by the Ottoman empire than by decaying European powers, most middle eastern "national" groups never clearly defined who they are as people. For example, most of us fail to realize that Iraq is made up of several different people, kurds, ottomans, etc. And then they are further divided by religion. It took Europe greater part of 19th and 20th century to figure itself out. Mideastern countries, with their boundaries arbitrality drawn up by the Europeans powers, will have to find their identity and assert their will. In the mean time, having US and other Europeans protecting "their interest" will only complicate the matter further. One thing we need to realize is how the Middle easterners view the Europeans. They view Europeans with distrust for good reasons. They have been invaded and occupied by major european powers numerous times.

Answer 4

Proclaim the Gospel to people who do have faith in something? I think your time will be better spent proclaiming gospel to fellow citizens who does not have faith on anything besides capitalism. Before you try to teach the son of another man, teach your own son first.

Answer 5

Because the Middle East is so volatile and we have such a large dependence on foreign oil, we have a large interest and stake as to what happens there. Like it or not, we have had to act as police for the world. You think it is bad now. Consider what it might be like had we not done so. Don't dream. Be real. Until we demand and start using alternative means of fuel, we will continue to intervene with the Middle East. Unfortunately, the oil countries have us by the ****. I believe as you, we should not be involved unless to protect ourselves. But until we eliminate the need for the oil, this isn't going to happen.

Answer 6

Well said Kobaincito!!!
What makes you think we have any business doing anything other than simply admiring the history of the region? Anytime we, or anyone, steps outside of his home country, we are "guests" of the country we visit.
As guests, we have no right to do anything other than what we are asked to do.
Conduct business, yes. If invited to do so. See the sights, yes. Preach the gospel? No...why? are they without religion? Try to give them government? No, have they none of their own?
Goodwill missions to help, HELP. them increase medical aid, food production, other humane things, yes....but only if they want it, ask for it.

Answer 7

Yes we do. Our business their goes well beyond that. This particular region of the world is very important to the rest of the world. The only problems is that the inhabitants are very unstable and very psychotic.

Answer 8

Ignorance must surely be bliss

Answer 9

You want those folks over here with their radical religion? THey are over here as sleepers. Waiting. THey don't want the gospel. They want to kill us.

Answer 10

Those three things pretty much cover it all don't ya think?