Actually, you need to thank D.B. Shobrawy since he was the first to change from discussing Yeman to making a comment generalizing Arab states.

I’ll bring it full circle and return to discussing Yemen by quoting this article
http://www.fff.org/comment/com0309q.asp

For example, when Yemen voted against a UN resolution authorizing United States to use force against Iraq in 1990, UN Ambassador Thomas Pickering walked over to the Yemeni ambassador and said, “That’s the most expensive No vote you ever cast.” According to writer John Pilger, “Within three days, a U.S aid program to one of the world’s poorest countries was stopped. Yemen suddenly had problems with the World Bank and the IMF; and 800,000 Yemeni workers were expelled from Saudi Arabia.”

Thanks Randall for destroying yet another discussion.

Tell that to the Iranians who were alive when the U.S. toppled their democratically elected government. Tell that to the Iraqis. Tell that to the Congolese. Tell that to the Chileans. Tell that to the Afghanis.

The United States and Israel want democracy for their own people, but for any country that they have financial interests in, have no right to democracy and freedom.

In terms of strategic interests, 9/11 was not a strategic interest, it was an event that pointed to the need for strategic planning. There is no nation in the Middle East that is more protective of U.S. strategic interests than Israel. Israel develops and shares intelligence information, and information on military matters, including weapon systems, etc. In many instances, U.S. weapon systems are tested and proved in real life battles in Israel. Israel shares information about security threats, including the threats of terrorism. When a U.S. ship needs a port, Israel is at the ready. Israel has helped launch a whole host of products in the U.S. which help keep the U.S. technologically on top. For example, my mother needed a special medical test to be done, so she swollowed a pill size camera which took videos of her digestive system. That pill was made in Israel, as were hundreds of innovative products which help humanity. When there is a crisis anywhere in the world, like an earthquake, Israel is usually one of the first there to help.

Randall, given the current situation, it is easy to become cynical, and there is some basis for cynicism. However, let me assure you of one thing: If there will ever be peace in the Middle East, it will be due in good measure to Israel. Israel is in the best position to create and sustain realities on the ground which will point to the possibility of peace. If Israel were no longer to exist, the prospects for peace would probably die with her.

Shared values? what kind is it, that is different from Arab values

Strategic interests? You mean like 9/11? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LecYbWM5Oao&feature=related

However, I would not attribute the U.S. support of Israel to some vast conspiracy. U.S. support is due to some very understandable factors: shared values, strategic interests, a strong lobby on behalf of Israel, etc.

And certainly, even though you don’t see extensive criticsm in Congress, you do see a lot of criticsm in the media, and it can well be argued that certain media outlets not only criticize Israel, but are biased against it.

The solution, in my opinion, for the Middle East, is not to demonize Israel, although balanced criticsm is sometimes warranted. The solution is to sell a Vision of Hope, and to take concrete steps to give substance to that vision. These steps will include five in particular: a new ideological framework based on common sense, investments in projects which create jobs and which protect the environment, using ideology and investment to sell people on a Vision of Hope, sustaining the hope with public diplomacy that amounts to more than just some soundbites, and the willingness to fight the extremists but to position that fight within a Vision of Hope.

You are welcome to visit my website at http://www.sellingavisionofhope.org If you register and comment, that would be greatly appreciated.

This problem exists in the United States, but it involves the censorship of those who criticize Israel, in the mainstream media at least.

You can count on half of a hand the number of Senators and Congress persons who criticize Israel. Even local politicians who have nothing to do with foreign politics, go out of their way to announce their unconditional support for Israel.

Esra’a,

Even though your website has been banned, we should not lose hope, there are probably many small blogs out there where the Yemenese are free expressing their thoughts.