Perhaps they ARE doing what they like. They are free to ignore us, you know. They are a sovereign nation. In addition, I don't see a total withdrawal yet from all areas, and I see Arafat losing influence over the last few days.
The fact that they have been so successful at dividing the West may prove that they are right after all, and that they are the stronger culture.
This is a defeatest statement. In other words, because not everyone in the West agrees on tactics, we are to throw in the towel? Tyranny by the minority? That is balderdash. And to say that this may prove that their culture is stronger is really beyond the pale.
The Muslim world HAS been divided, and more fractures appear each week. Please read the stories on Arafat's waning influence, or note that the Pakistanis have moved to our side in the war. Turkey supports us, and Egypt stood against an oil embargo, as did Kuwait and the Saudis.
The fractures begin slowly, with seemingly modest issues. But fractures will widen if they are properly encouraged.
So I do not concede your points, and in fact I think your last point especially was so defeatist as to be laughable.
Absolutely not, but it is a fact appeasement has never worked anytime it has ever been tried. All it ever does is make the side that offers it weaker and the side that accepts it stronger, until the balance of power has been tipped and the inevitable happen. If we can't learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.
Here is a message from our friends the Saudis you might be interested in. Saudi Government Daily: "You [the U.S.] Will Vanish, But We Will Remain"
OH absolutely, they are free to ignore the most powerful nation on earth, AND only ally. /sarcasm
The US is the one country on earth that they cannot afford to offend under any circumstances. If you believe they can than that is laughable!