Kesher Talk

If Israel did not exist, the Arabs would have to invent it: "If Israel did not exist, the Arab world, in its current fit of denial, would have to invent something like it to vent its frustrations. That is not to say there may not be legitimate concerns in the struggle over Palestine, but merely that for millions of Muslims the fight over such small real estate stems from a deep psychological wound. It isn’t about lebensraum or some actual physical threat. Israel is a constant reminder that it is a nation’s culture—not its geography or size or magnitude of its oil reserves—that determines its wealth or freedom. For the Middle East to make peace with Israel would be to declare war on itself, to admit that that its own fundamental way of doing business—not the Jews—makes it poor, sick, and weak." (Historian Victor Davis Hanson writing in the City Journal)

Turkey is the linch-pin of civilization: Melik Kaylan writes in the Wall Street Journal: "Draw a fingerline from Europe through to Afghanistan, from Moscow (or Chechnya) through to Jerusalem and the line will pass through Turkey. If there is any truth to the "clash of civilizations" thesis, the line of separation or rapprochement runs through Turkey, where Europe meets Islam. For the longterm stability of that entire region, buffeted by the inflammatory overspill of oil politics and jihadist activism, the stability of Turkey is a sine qua non."

posted by Howard @ 1/14/2002 09:58:52 AM