Mark Steyn: Failure to solve Palestinian question empowers Iran

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | July 23, 2006 | Mark Steyn

[goldstategop]

We're all Jews, now. Jihad International, Inc, headed by Iran is not going to stop with Israel. It intends to creare a new Persian Empire not seen since the days of Axtaterxes. The Achaemenids were stopped by the Greeks from conquering Athens. Who in the West will stop Iran from conquering London? Iran bids to become a world superpower and if it gets the bomb it will be one. What happens to Israel is irrelevant. The real story is the fate of a feckless West - and Russia. Ancient Persia built an empire from Ethiopia to India. For the mullahs, the real estate to be won is the world.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)

[larryjohnson]

thanks,saving.

[samtheman]

We're all Jews, now. Jihad International, Inc, headed by Iran is not going to stop with Israel.

Well said.

[John Valentine]

There haven't been any Zionists anywhere near Damascus in 60 years and Syria is in effect Iran's first Sunni Arab prison bitch.

Yep, ain't life grand? Assad was so worried about domination by the West, and now he's picking up the soap for Ahmedinejad.

[drellberg]

That line also made me laugh, and it is sooo to the point. Stein is such a great writer!

[ClaireSolt]

Related to the "see my parade passing" but not the same. I have been perplexed by European support for Palestinians, but I got an idea going through Dutch art museums again. For Europeans, the Middle East provides an exotic, sensual inspiration to romantic fantasies they don't want to give up. Israel is more like a high tech, Bauhaus modernism that is very familiar and boring to them. The Beduins and camels and bleak deserts support European superority in a time of waning confidence just as they did in the age of exploration. They feel paternalistic towards them.

[Gritty]

BTTT

[Knitebane]

They feel paternalistic towards them.

I forget which general in the Middle East that said, "Why do the English love the Arabs? They see a dark man in a dress and go all wobbly."

I suspect it's doubly true for the Euros.

[Dark Skies]

Best article yet on this strange phenomenon.

[nuconvert]

Bump! for Steyn

[PGalt]

Outstanding Steyn. Thanks for posting.

[Moonmad27]

I forget which general in the Middle East that said, "Why do the English love the Arabs? They see a dark man in a dress and go all wobbly."
---
True - and that reminds me of the paternalistic phrase William Howard Taft used to use, calling third worlders our "little brown brothers" that the West had to assist. I think that feeling still dominates the Europeans' attitude - although they'd never admit it!

[maica]

The Zionists got out of Lebanon and the most powerful force in the country (with an ever-growing demographic advantage) are Iran's Shia enforcers. There haven't been any Zionists anywhere near Damascus in 60 years and Syria is in effect Iran's first Sunni Arab prison bitch. For the other regimes in the region, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria are dead states that have risen as vampires.

For such a deadly serious topic, Steyn is, as usual, a joy to read. The new reality -- Demography is Destiny.

[livius]

It intends to creare a new Persian Empire not seen since the days of Axtaterxes.

I think that's true, but the current situation is actually worse, because the project is not simply the lust for domination of one person or nation, but of a whole ideology that has followers in every country of the world. It's no longer a case of military might meeting military might.

Iran does see itself as the leader of the Islamic "army," wherever it may be found; but I'm not sure all of said army recognizes Iran as such - yet. If Iran achieves its nuclear dream, however, that will do it and the ideological "army" will fall in behind Iran, doing so in all the countries in which that army is located.

[Pokey78]

Steyn ping!

[Knitebane]

True - and that reminds me of the paternalistic phrase William Howard Taft used to use, calling third worlders our "little brown brothers" that the West had to assist. I think that feeling still dominates the Europeans' attitude - although they'd never admit it!

Ah, yes. The "white man's burden."

[RhoTheta]

They've now belatedly realized they're at that stage in the horror film where the monster has mutated into something bigger and crazier.

Gotta love the imagery!

[COUNTrecount]

Thanks.

[the-ironically-named-proverbs2]

"It intends to creare a new Persian Empire not seen since the days of Axtaterxes. The Achaemenids were stopped by the Greeks from conquering Athens. Who in the West will stop Iran from conquering London? Iran bids to become a world superpower and if it gets the bomb it will be one."

Rev 17:11
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Isa 13:17-19
17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
18 Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.