Middle East And Democracy
Also success of democracy requires an overwhelming homogeneous mentality of the people for such a process notwithstanding minor dissents here and there, which is hardly the case in either Iraq or Afghanistan. The brutality required by someone like Saddam Hussain to successfully rule Iraq was perhaps a necessary evil.
The issues of the Middle East therefore require new and clear thinking, as they do not fit readymade political ideology of nationhood or models of either Israel or the west. As a matter of fact removal of Israel from the arena would allow placidity in the neighbourhood, as there will be no common enemy against which they must unite and fight paving the way to peaceful democratic evolutionary processes to work.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The Lebanon crisis is the most serious issue in the international arena at the moment. It is a devastating threat to international peace. Israel has declared war over a matter that could have been settled in a far less violent manner.
The whole world is affected by the Lebanon crisis. It has to be resolved immediately.
Md. Johirul Islam, University of Dhaka
What the Israeli forces are doing now in Lebanon is outrageous. Everybody in a sane frame of mind should and will condemn Israel and the massacre in Lebanon. How did the current round of conflict start? One needs to step back and look at what has started this. Did Israel purposely start the conflict and the massacre or were they provoked? Recalling the news from last several weeks, the Hezbollah was the first to go and "kidnap" two Israeli soldiers, whose whereabouts are unknown. Was this really necessary? Instead of focusing on the aftermath of the kidnapping, we should first ask the question - 'Why did the Hezbollah have to go and kidnap those two Israelis?' Everybody is outraged about the massacre, while forgetting that these two kidnapped Israelis have families, who are now affected by this kidnapping. If we are to speak of the Israeli massacre, then we should also first talk about the wrongful doings of the Hezbollah, which started this round of the conflict. Is kidnapping permissible in a civilised world?
I raise the question "Can the pot call the kettle black?" Why can't all of us live in peace side by side ?
Quazi Hasan, Chicago, USA
"To kill a man is a crime but to kill thousands is bravery. George W Bush & Tony Blair have to come back from this ethics to a very humane path of peace, harmony and humanity. Otherwise, democracy, humanity and all other good things will soon lose their meanings.
We all, irrespective of religion, cast and creed, should work together to fight the evils that are cancerous within ourselves to ensure a world free from terror, inequality and anarchy. And we should always believe that it's never too late.
Rafiqul Islam Rime, Agrabad, Chittagong