Forget Dominoes. Though it is an idea still descriptive of the policy, the Middle East now looks more like a checkerboard. Iran; surrounded by the Democracies in progress in Afghanistan and Iraq (thanks to the foreign policy of President Bush). Saudi Arabia; bounded by the Democracies-in-progress in Iraq and the Egypt-Palestine-Israel axis. And suddenly, Syria is surrounded by the Democracies-in-progress of Iraq and Lebanon.
And what is common in this? Iraq, the place where the game of Checkers was invented.
Iraq, the linchpin. The central cohesive element. Sissy watches the coverage of the popular revolution taking place in Lebanon and notes:
These are not the "Arab street" demonstrations of yore, with pumping fists and anti-American banners, staged by tyrants as photo ops to shore up their own corrupt regimes. These are the people themselves -- Muslims and Christians together, waving their national flags in unity -- finding their voice, emboldened by the momentum of events precipitated by GW's visionary foreign policy. As Osama famously put it, "when people see a strong horse and a weak horse, by nature, they will like the strong horse."
And this is not the Arab street we've been told exists. In fact, we've been told by those who believe they don't have a racist bone in their bodies, that Arabs can't rule themselves; they require strongmen to unite them.
We've been told the Arab street just hates the West for their inteventions since the fall of the Ottoman Empire and does not want to emulate it in any way. That Islam is not compatible with Democracy.
But now, the Arab street is beginning to speak up and speak for themselves. In Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon. And it will be difficult for Iran and Saudi Arabia to resist surrounded as they are and with strong pro Democracy forces within. And all of the "neocons" who believed in them can feel vidicated that their trust was well placed.
Does this mean that these new Democracies will all be friends of America?
No, it does not.
But we'll settle for them not being enemies.
And when all is said and done, and we review the cost in American lives it took to get to this primitive point in history, not being enemies is a good enough goal.
And friends would be icing on the cake.
Don't wannna discuss it
Think it's time for a change
You may get disgusted
Start thinkin' that I'm strangeIn that case I'll go underground
Get some heavy rest
Never have to worry
About what is worst or what is best
(Get it)Oh oh Domino (it's all right)
Roll me over, Romeo, there you go
Lord, have mercy
I said oh-oh, Domino
Roll me over, Romeo, there you go
Say it again
I said oh-ooh-oh Domino
I said oh-ooh-ooh-oh Domino
(Dig It)There's no need for argument
There's no argument at all
And if you never hear from him
That just means he didn't call
Or vice versa
That depends on where ever you're at
(All right)
And if you never hear from me
That just means I would rather not(Hit it)
Oh oh Domino
(All right)
Roll me over Romeo, there you go
Lord have mercy
I said, oh oh Domino
Roll me over Romeo, there you go
(Hey, all right)
Say it again
Oh-oh-ooh-ooh Domino
(Hey, hit it)
I said oh-ooh-ooh DominoWell, Mr. DJ I just wanna hear
Some rhythm and blues music
On the radio
On the radio
On the radio-Van Morrison
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