Quote:
Originally Posted by driveway
The worst act of terrorism in history, followed by more than a decade of war, 7700+ Coalition and NATO military casualties, a bare minimum of 122 926 civillian casualties (and quite possibly more than 10x higher) isn't the powder keg blowing?
|
Nope you have a lot of things blowing on an internal scale, you have very little blowing on an international scale, and that will come.
Quote:
Originally Posted by driveway
If I felt that way I don't think I could get up in the morning. I think the only real difference between the average Canadian and the average Afghani or other Middle Easterner is relative prosperity.
|
I think it goes far beyond relative prosperity, I think it goes to the relative evolution of the society in question. A lot of the very wealtly in the middle east for example are at the heart of the extremist movement. They've installed a incredibly different value system based on tribal or feudal lines.
Quote:
Originally Posted by driveway
All wars are economic, religion is just window-dressing. If the economies of the Middle-East can be developed in such a way as to produce a functioning middle-class, I am certain common ground will be reached, and relatively easily.
|
No all wars at heart are about power, either in terms of gaining or maintaining that power. The economic benefits of war are a side step, religion is a reason.
But wars are about asserting your will over someone else, and gaining power over them.