Dr. Aaron Lerner is co-founder of IMRA, Independent Media Review and Analysis, an Israel-based news organization which provides an extensive digest of media, polls and significant interviews and events relating to the Israeli-Arab conflict. imra@netvision.net.il
Regional instability: it's not about Israel
By Dr. Aaron Lerner
May 12, 2006
Iranian President Ahmadinejad's recent letter to US President George Bush provides an important reminder that it's not about Israel.
Not the rise of radical Islam.
Not the growing instability threatening the region -- and beyond.
The truth is that if Israel didn't exist these problems would be just as great and just as challenging (if not possibly more challenging).
So when Ahmadinejad concludes his message to Bush with a rambling laundry list of the problems that will lead to the downfall of West and the triumph of Islam Israel doesn't even merit special mention.
And our region is certainly chock-a-block with problems: Rampant corruption, a huge growing underclass with no hope in sight and a growing educated class frustrated with their inability to take their rightful place - both economically and politically.
And to add insult to injury the knowledge that many centuries ago Islamic civilization enjoyed a glorious era as Europe groped its way through the Dark Ages.
Yes, the poverty is terrible. But poverty is nothing new. It's corruption that most fuels the flames of discontent.
That's what makes things just that more complicated. You can throw money into projects to address poverty but if the people administering the projects are themselves corrupt the whole exercize may turn out to be counterproductive.
This all is both good and bad news for Israel.
Its good news for Israel because educating the West to this truth could help to dispel the notion that somehow forcing Israel to make dangerous concessions would lead to regional stability.
Its bad news for Israel because it means that regardless of what withdrawals or concessions it makes, the very real possibility remains that the leaders of neighboring countries may one day seek to divert the wrath of their masses by focusing it against the "alien" Jews.
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