Arab leaders: caught between emotionalism and realism

[oberliner]

CAIRO: Last week it seemed obvious that Arabs had split into two camps.

On one side were the radicals meeting in Doha, surprisingly headed by Qatar and joined by countries like Iran, Syria delegates from Hamas, all famous for publicly calling to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, or temporarily suspending diplomatic ties with Israel and the US.

On the other side, meeting simultaneously, was the moderate camp headed by Egypt and joined by countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan, which are keen on negotiating a peaceful solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

The general atmosphere was not encouraging. Never before in our recent history have differences between Arab states been so obvious. Although disagreements have always existed — both publicly and behind the scenes — at least they all occurred under one roof.

http://dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19399

[bemildred]

1. I always crack up when they call Saudi Arabia "moderate". nt

[oberliner]

2. Which countries would you put in the "moderate" camp? nt

[bemildred]

3. I don't think the word is used in a meaningful way.

It is a label applied on the basis of reward and punishment. So the answer would be "none". I would not use the word. It's like saying everyone ought to be "average".

But in any case, "moderate" is not what I would want from governments, not some fake consensus centrism; what I would want is "law-abiding" and "democratic" and "legitimate" and "effective" and "fair" and "open" and words of that sort.

[Vegasaurus]

4. On that yardstick, none of the Arab governments measure up

Since none are "fair", "open", "democratic".

Definitely not Saudi Arabia, with its horrific human rights record with women.

But maybe the best we can expect is to differentiate between those that support and fund and carry out terrorism, and those that don't,

That divides the two camps.

[bemildred]

5. Damn few anywhere measure up, by those yardsticks. nt

[Vegasaurus]

6. That's very true, so I offered a new yardstick, for purposes of discussion nt

[bemildred]

7. Enjoy your new yardstick.

No doubt it does a much better job for you.

[Vegasaurus]

8. No enjoyment here

Just looking at the reality, which is apparently how it shakes out for the Arab leaders too.

[bemildred]

9. Yep, reality is pretty much everywhere. Hard to get away from even. nt