I read the linked to articles from the CIA about Aids in Africa and the national security threat and I sincerely hope that is not the basis for sending money to combat AIDS over there. The idea of spending billions of dollars on the basis of such a weak arguement is preposterous. America would be much better off in spending money to combat AIDS in Russia, India, and China if national security is the reason.
puddleglum,
Bush has gotten the Israelis to begin dismantling outposts.
ObL did specifically state that he wanted the US gov to curtail our
freedoms and engage in heavy hadned tactics in the ME.
if you see the PATRIOT aCT as curtailing American’s freedoms aznd the invasion of Iraq as heavy-handed tactics, then ObL has gotten his wish in these regards.
Puddlegum you do recite lot of what has already been said and answered in this thread. On some points I have asked for links and statistics that have not been answered. Maybie you could? I disagree on most points you have to offer.
OBL’s concern for the Iranian government is ridiculous. The current Iranian government is the one responsible for catching more AQ members than any other.
Abbas is a blessing to Palestinians and looks like a face saver for Israel.
OBL says Crusaders, so what? Dont make him out to be stupid. Well do if it makes you feel better but dont bring it up in a conversation among adults.
Your blanket argument that the ME is increasingly pro western needs a cite and statistics to keep it afloat. Mentioning Quatar Just makes your arguments look even worse.
The Saudis are “fickle” and so they move thousands of troops that they already asked for? It has nothing to do with pleasing millions of AQ simpathysers but everything to do with being fickle about women driving? You need to expand on this issue and preferably come up with a link.