Geopolitical Folly

In Greek mythology Pandora’s Box contained all the evils of the world. Once opened, all of mankind’s ills spilled forth save one redeeming virtue; the Spirit of Hope which stayed inside. In today’s language the phrase “to open Pandora’s box” means to perform an action that may seem small or innocent, but that turns out to have severely detrimental and far-reaching consequences (Wikipedia, 2014)”.

Presidents Bush, H. W. and G. opened Pandora’s’ box when they overthrew Saddam Hussein the tyrant dictator of Iraq. Pres. Obama went considerably further and caused the deposition of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Muammar Gaddafi of Libya; and supports the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad of Syria. Now what do these leaders have in common? They all kept their radical rabble at bay. Hussein made sure that Iran didn’t invade the Euphrates Valley. Both Gaddafi and Assad were totally anti-Al Qaeda. More importantly, not one of them persecuted Christians, unlike the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS and other fundamentalist Islamic sects.

Contrary to President Obama’s recent speech ISIS/ISEL is indeed Islamic. They follow the original doctrine of Islam as established by Muhammad (Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad 570-632 AD) a 6th to 7th century AD, Arabian warlord who founded the religion of Islam. He called out explicitly that ‘infidels’ should convert to Islam or face execution. One should not then be shocked by the atrocities committed by ISIS, their ilk and surrogates since they are strictly following the original design of Islam to conquer and dominate all.

Muhammad’s legacy of succession has been in dispute among the sects of Islam (Sunni and Shiite) since his death. The Sunni’s are the largest Islamic sect and consider the Shiites heretics. Both however desire a world-wide ‘Caliphate’ where Islam is not only the world’s single religion but also sole government (World-wide Theocracy)!

But we in America and the West in general, institute diplomatic policies to try and bring prototypical democracy and peace to the Middle East based on faulty assumptions that do not truly understand the origin of conflict in Arab and Muslim nations. Here’s the eye-opening truth:

1. Middle Eastern nations are a collage of patriarchal tribal cultures where men are primary, women kept subservient and sectarian violence among the tribes has existed for millennia.
2. Sunni and Shiite Muslims have been at war with each other since Muhammad’s death, each vying for supremacy.
3. A one-world government and religion is the true, unquestionable, ultimate aim of Islam, regardless of sect.

Democracy and peace in the Middle East and among Islamic nations – Really - Are you serious? It took autocratic, strong-armed leaders aka tyrants to keep their respective Muslim nations intact. Democracy only works when you have a framework for liberty; not mere desire for independence such as the so-called ‘Muslim Spring Awakening’. It needs a foundation of principles like our U. S. Constitution, with a Bill of Rights for all people; and that is something Muslim nations will never accept!

Those politically correct elitists who ignore this reality will learn that denial (ostrich syndrome) breeds chaos. The idea of acting as a change agent in order to overcome the status quo may have its place in business, education circles and the like. But it too often doesn’t translate well in geopolitical approaches in an attempt to form western style democratic societies carved out from ancient cultures.

Supposedly Pandora’s Box still has Hope in it. Well I’m way beyond tired of the impotent, political rhetoric of “Hope and change” with its toothless diplomacy. We sure got the ‘change’, but where’s the ‘hope’?

Prof. Michael F. Kenney