Getting very naughty out there. 84 dead.

 

Could Gadaffi be toppled and how much are the US hoping it happens?

 

Is this where Middle Eastern democracy kicks into life with perhaps dangerously sponsored US ssistance?

 

Sky News is best for flip flop throwing coverage.

I wouldn't be overly shocked if the US were helping cause up a bit of shit over there. It is looking like it might get interesting, especially as Bahrain is also looking like it might get a bit tasty soon. I wonder if this unrest will psread over to Saudi Arabia, that'll be fun over there........

I'm transfixed by it all & can't stop watching Sky Sports.

40 years plastic face has been in power. It's madness is that.

My concern is though who's going to take over from these dictators.

Whoever takes over I'll bet a pound to a pinch of shit that someone says, in a couple of years, that they were better off with the old dictatorship!

It's a rather fluid time what with the Middle Eastern uprisings, the recession in the West and of course the emerging powerhouse in the far East

 

I think the next 5 -10 years will really shape this century

 

Assuming we have one of course; maybe this unrest will lead to that much volatility that it leads to the predicted 2012 armageddon? All it takes is one mad dictator to throw a last roll of the dice or wanting to leave their own burning legacy when they're on their way out

 

I wonder and fear what Ahmadinejad and those mad clerics are making of it all

By all accounts the US liked the guy in charge in egypt and didn't particularly want him out.

 

The iranian MP's were clamouring for those who opposed them to be executed http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/death-demanded-for-iran-dissidents-2218929.html

 

it's all going to get very tasty over the coming months thats fo sho

I'm finding it a bit reassuring that these people toppling the dictators are doing it in the name of democracy rather than because some primitive writings tell them to do so and kill all infidels along the way.

 

Without help from the West, will it create long term freedom and stability though? Do we need to help? Shall we stay away? Do they want a bit of our hrarts and minds? Shall we invest in their infrastructure only to be percived as raping it afterwards?

 

How long before things go wobbly with the new direction and the nowty muslims then start offering those who have missed out on this new found environment a hideous alternative?

 

Could go either way.

 

At least with a Dictatorship you could judge their motives a bit easier.

How long before we see civil unrest and major violent uprisings in what we call "the civilised world"?

In the UK it will be done and dusted before Countdown.

 

France, a couple of days tops

 

Spain, possibly naughty.

 

US, too lazy.

 

Germany and Austria could see history repeating itself.

I'm transfixed by it all & can't stop watching Sky Sports.

 

You'll be better off watching Sky News then love

 

When they had free elections in Algeria in the 90's they voted in an Islamist party leading to a 10 year civil war and 160,000 dead after the army refused to relinquish power.

 

The West can't be seen to oppose calls for democracy but you know where you are with a dictator.

Do we need to help? Shall we stay away?

In all the places we are talking about there is a lot of oil, of course we will "help"

To grossly oversimplify, but democracies don't fight one another. The only way, therefore, to ensure peace, and therefore prosperity, is to encourage democracy. You HAVE to look long term at these things, for too long the West has backed the 'OK he's a cunt, but he's our cunt' chap. But your stock in the eyes of the people turns to shit, like in Yemen where the military backing from the US creates the perception of them propping up an unpopular regime. Gaddafi will see this through I think, he's bought off the tribes that matter. Egypt lacked the tribal tapestry necessary for playing people off one another. Muslim Brotherhood will be a factor, but I'm not hugely concerned. Massive progress in Iran is inevitable due to pure demographics. Saudi Arabia...now that would be something.

 

This is the best series of events in North Africa/Middle East in 30 years easy.

You'll be better off watching Sky News then love

 

 

 

That's just smashed the myth that wimmin can multi task out of the water as I was changing channels at the same time as posting.

To grossly oversimplify, but democracies don't fight one another. The only way, therefore, to ensure peace, and therefore prosperity, is to encourage democracy. You HAVE to look long term at these things, for too long the West has backed the 'OK he's a cunt, but he's our cunt' chap. But your stock in the eyes of the people turns to shit, like in Yemen where the military backing from the US creates the perception of them propping up an unpopular regime. Gaddafi will see this through I think, he's bought off the tribes that matter. Egypt lacked the tribal tapestry necessary for playing people off one another. Muslim Brotherhood will be a factor, but I'm not hugely concerned. Massive progress in Iran is inevitable due to pure demographics. Saudi Arabia...now that would be something.

 

This is the best series of events in North Africa/Middle East in 30 years easy.

 

 

Correct. I just hope it spreads south and reaches Zimbabwe.

i thought it said labia

Think Morocco are joining in now!!

 

How soon before it reaches the Canaries!!!

Mobs on the streets calling for pints of lager for 1 peseta!!

Said it in another thread about it a while back. Whole North Coast of Africa right past Sinai is now revolting.

Said it in another thread about it a while back. Whole North Coast of Africa right past Sinai is now revolting.

There must be some nice parts

I really am running out of holibob destinations. The inconsiderate wankers!

There must be some nice parts

 

No mate, it's all a shit hole.

i thought it said labia

 

Cunt!

The Crazy Colonel looks like one of them blokes dressed as statues who shit you up by moving as you walk past.

I'm finding it a bit reassuring that these people toppling the dictators are doing it in the name of democracy rather than because some primitive writings tell them to do so and kill all infidels along the way.

 

Without help from the West, will it create long term freedom and stability though? Do we need to help? Shall we stay away? Do they want a bit of our hrarts and minds? Shall we invest in their infrastructure only to be percived as raping it afterwards?

 

How long before things go wobbly with the new direction and the nowty muslims then start offering those who have missed out on this new found environment a hideous alternative?

 

Could go either way.

 

At least with a Dictatorship you could judge their motives a bit easier.

 

I don't think there is much chance of an Islamic revolution spreading to these nations. The people want democracy and more power in their hands they won't settle for an Islamic alternative. Eygpt has quite a large middle class and much of the younger generation is pretty liberal and aren't exactly going to sucumb to the Quran after all they have achieved. Look at the way the Muslim Brotherhood behaved throughout it, they knew they weren't part of the protests so they kept their heads down and showed pockets of support, they have very little power.

I think whats happenning is great & given time will benefit the whole middle east. But i agree its a wee bit wobbly at the moment.

I don't think there is much chance of an Islamic revolution spreading to these nations. The people want democracy and more power in their hands they won't settle for an Islamic alternative. Eygpt has quite a large middle class and much of the younger generation is pretty liberal and aren't exactly going to sucumb to the Quran after all they have achieved. Look at the way the Muslim Brotherhood behaved throughout it, they knew they weren't part of the protests so they kept their heads down and showed pockets of support, they have very little power.

I think whats happenning is great & given time will benefit the whole middle east. But i agree its a wee bit wobbly at the moment.

 

Aye, on reflectance, I was thinking similar. It's the ultimate two-fingered salute to extremism. I have an inkling that this will save America's bacon at some point in the future, although they will undoubtably claim credit 100 years down the line.

I don't think there is much chance of an Islamic revolution spreading to these nations.

 

A free election in Algeria produced a victory for hardline Islamists. A free election in the Gaza strip produced the same.

 

What are you basing your opinion on?