US facing huge loss of credibility across Middle East

[Spazito]

WASHINGTON, (AFP) - America is facing a huge loss of credibility across the Middle East, amid the release of photos showing US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners, that could last for years, US analysts say.


The fallout from the graphic images of abuse has significantly tarnished the standing of Washington, they said, in its bid to restabilize war-torn Iraq (news - web sites), but also in efforts to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.


"For many in the region, (the abuse) validates every criticism of the United States and vastly strengthens the hand of Islamic extremists, Sunni insurgents, Shiite insurgents," said Anthony Cordesman of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

In a study released Tuesday, Cordesman severly criticised the administration of President George W. Bush (news - web sites), saying "too many" US officials are "in a state of denial about the political realities of the Middle East."

more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=afp/us_iraq_mideast

[sniffa]

1. weLL

i've noticed a Large upsurge in the amount of LTTE from freepers, aLL crying about the LiberaL media, and how LiberaLs don't care about nick berg and the 4 contractors.. and some even advocating giving medaLs to those 6 rogue soLdiers. what these retards don't understand, is that we are aLL in much more danger than we were before the prison scandaL.

[salinen]

2. Chimp knew

but he was busy with more important business: fundraising.

[Dhalgren]

3. "Reality" isn't what it actually is,

it's what the Emperor wants it to be. All government officials must become sycophantic, yesmen (even the women) and tell the Emperor only what he wishes to hear or it will mean the loss of employment (if not worse) for the nay-sayer. The Emperor's delusional view of the world and his place in it are getting people killed. It is up to the people of the United States to remove this deranged monster from power. We may not have until next November, we may not last that long. And you can just forget about the Emperor allowing himself to be defeated in the election - his delusions could simply not accommodate that. Can you imagine the Emperor giving a concession speech? I can't; his feeble mind would not be able to 'grok' his having lost. I think we may be well past the point where "politics as usual" will be adequate. I hope I am wrong, but I fear I am not.

[Don_G]

4. The Administration Is Unraveling

Powell is starting to talk and they're facing a loss of credibility here too: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1592467

[mike_c]

5. this is only bad for the home crowd and for Americans abroad....

The PNAC adenda calls for a large, permanent garrison force in the Middle East, preferably in Iraq, and a brutal occupation that keeps the U.S. military force presence uppermost in everyone's mind throughout the region. Not to worry-- things are actually going swimmingly for the global hegemony neo-cons-- as long as they can either stay in office or see their short-term plans continued under a Democratic administration. The only thing that will at least temporarily derail them is a complete and unconditional withdrawal from Iraq and a sea change in the U.S./Israel policy landscape.