The Middle East has been a focal point of study in the West for centuries. Our fascination and indeed domination mainly began with the Christian Crusades almost a millenium ago. Reinforced by Napolean's adventure (or mis-adventure as it turned out to be) into Egypt at the end of the 18th century, our awareness of the importance of this region has not gone away.
Through colonialism and interference by Western powers, the Middle East as we know it is on the one hand an ever-changing region, whereas on the other hand it seemingly never does. Whether a by-product of colonialism, neocolonialism, realism and hegemony, or whether an inate "Arabness" which causes the mutitude of problems has been debated ad nauseum. Nevertheless, there is still room to argue this issue, and the many others. This Blog will do just that.
I am not a "Chomskyite", nor do I support Netanyahu. I take each thing in context - the wider context that is - when I attempt to analyse and discuss the Middle East. The aim of this blog is to inform, and often to persuade, however is not based on religious or political doctrine, but based on a moral code. As Robert Fisk so aptly points out, commentators on the Middle East should take sides. That side however should be determined by morality over epistemology or political persuasion.
This reasoning will therefore be utilised when I discuss the Middle East. I will begin with an overview of the vexed problem of democracy in the Middle East. I would invite other views on what is one of the most fundamental challenges facing the region.
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