Thank you for the excellent clarifications you have provided, Collounsbury. The entire Middle East region seems to be a melange of the worst possible political choices that can be imagined. I can only hope that there is some path out of this madhouse that does not entail a regional war or worse.
As to the “reverse levy” I mentioned, what was meant by that is some sort of additional profit margin (although the Bahrani hardly need additional economic rewards) or contractual benefits to supply further incentive for nations to go forward with democratic reforms.
If you have the time and inclination, please expound further on how “the Khalijeen, [and] the Gulfies are not stunningly popular in the Arab world.” Your insights are rather keen and always welcome.
I don’t deserve Zenster’s praise but I’ll clarify on the Khaliji issue.
Most of the rest of the Arab world --based on my personal experience-- rather detests the Guflies. Why? Easy riches, percieved – and I think it is a correct perception – false genorosity/lack of generosity on their part towards their “Arab brothers”, general bad behaviour by the oil-elite when in other countries and general feeling they’re not terribly cultured as compared to the Sham or Egypt or the Maghreb.
In short terrible resentment against their wealth, against their nouveau riche comportement, against their attitude they are the real Arabs. All the kinds of familial jealousies you can imagine.
Now, I don’t much care for the Gulf Folks either, but I have to say a lot of this is simple envy. That a visible portion of the Gulf Elite (that is the ruling elite who go on the sex vacations, drink like bitches etc.) live up to the worst stereotypes doesn’t help.
I should also mention that this same elite has not treated ‘brother Arab’ guest workers very well at all.
Bah, one could go on and on about this.
In any event, yes, I do think that most of the Middle East exemplifies some of the worst possible political choices possible.
Not all. I have real hope for Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon if the Palestinian situation doesn’t get utterly out of control. But the negatives are so huge that sometimes I wonder how I got myself into the region.
I’d venture to say that myself and many others here would beg to differ, sir. (Unless you find my accolades offensive, that is.)
I suspected the resentment felt towards the Saudis and “gulfies” was for their flaunting of wealth with none of the attendent stewardship commanded by such position. I did not want to risk seeming bigotted for putting it in such a fashion (now there’s a surprise!), but I believe you have hit it spot on with your observation about their “nouveau riche comportement”. What better way to utterly antagonize the have-nots of the region than with the conspicuous consumption that the oil-elite are so (in)famous for?
I really hope that you might take the time to provide some input over in my “Credible Deterrent To Terrorism” thread as well, Collounsbury. This incredibly touchy subject would benefit immensely from your sharp-eyed observations. Thanks for all of the replies.