Middle East Conflict for Dummies

If you don't know much about the past or the current problems in the Middle East, and don't have time to read 1400 years worth of history, consider this Cliff's notes.

The current flareup in the Middle East is the direct result of past policies of appeasement. The previous conflicts were all started and settled in basically the same manner, as if with a template.

Here's how it works: Arab neighbor state directly or covertly attacks Israel. Israel responds, within a week brings (enter Arab state name here) militarily to it's knees. World opinion warns Israel it is too harsh and should negotiate for peace. The terrorists start showing pictures of innocent women and children maimed by Jewish weapons (or so they say). Israel stops conflict at minimum, or even cedes to some concessions. Israel then honors the peace and generally minds it's own business. (Return to top of paragraph, repeat). Here is a pretty good rundown of what has been going on for 60 years. See a pattern?

So now we are approaching the "cease fire" stage. The Left has teamed up with the Islamofacists to coin the new phrase "disproportionate response". Isn't that quaint? As if the Israelis should park their tanks, ground their jets and just throw rocks? Maybe they can hit the terrorists over the head with a rolled-up Geneva Convention copy?

Look to the past for the answer. Historically, conflicts that end without resolving the underlying causes will flare up again soon. The first Gulf War is example #1. We achieved military victory but let tactical victory slip from our hands. Saddam Hussein remained in power; he was the underlying cause of the war. We left him in power and lo and behold 10 years later he became a problem again. We never responded to the Iranian attack on the U.S. embassy in 1979, and they are today the #1 terrorist sponsor in the world. North Korea was appeased by Madeleine Albright and the Clinton administration in 1997, and today are a thorn in our side with their Taepodong missile program. Is it any wonder these three unfinished conflicts from the past form President Bush's "Axis of Evil" today? Notice he didn't include Germany, Japan and Italy? They were business that was finished. Even the Romans fought three Punic Wars before finally destroying Carthage in 147 BC under the emperor Cato, thus ending the threat to Rome from North Africa. There was no fourth Punic War. In World War I, Germany was allowed to surrender in France and allowed to keep their government and infrastructure intact. The underlying causes of the war were not removed, hence 20 years later World War II started involving the same players. In order to have any kind of lasting peace, Israel must be allowed to finish the job. Anything short of the total destruction of Hezbollah and Hamas influence in Lebanon is abject failure for freedom.