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[Dishevelled Den]

How right you are Zulu!!

History is littered with ifs, maybes, could haves, and we should have dones!!

If the British Government had not got involved when Germany invaded Belgium and France in 1914, we could have avoided the escalation of the first World War.

If the Versailles Treaty had not have been so ill conceived and biased against Germany we could have avoided WW2.

If Chamberlain had not stood by as Hitler went on his initial hunt into the Sudetenland, then the acquisition of the remainder of Czechoslovakia, we could have stopped the Nazis in their tracks!

If the UN forces has pursued the Iraqi army from Kuwait back to Bagdad and captued Saddam we could have avoided the future Iraqi conflict.

If the UN intervene in Libya now we could set that country onto the road of democracy, save lives, or maybe start the next major conflict!

Very difficult times and decisions to be made!  What is right, what is wrong, and calling the right shot at the right time is a fine art in international diplomacy

Yes, I now think Lizzie we are witnessing events which future historians will refer to as those defining the slow descent into a prolonged period of international conflict that will also have profound consequences for the domestic stability of many countries in Europe and environs and the well-being of those of us resident in them.

[Banjax]

however this pans out it should be remembered that Libyans were one of the least likely people in the region to form an uprising, so i take from that that no one knows anything 

this from the Indy 29th Jan '11:
"The longest-serving leader in the Arab world, Colonel Muammar al Gaddafi has ruled Libya since seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1969. The eccentric dictator said he was “pained” by the fall of Mr Ben Ali. But despite his pariah status overseas and corruption at home, soaring oil prices have allowed Colonel Gaddafi to maintain high levels of economic growth, while Libyans enjoy a life expectancy of 75, one of the highest in Africa.

Like many oil-rich states, unemployment among the local population is high, with millions of immigrants employed to do the menial jobs. But despite very little political openness and restrictions on freedom of expression, there is no sign that the Libyans have much inclination to rise up against their 69-year-old leader.

"


that was broadly the consensus a few weeks ago - game changer as the yanks say 

[albitz]

Well, thats the Indy for ya BJ. I keep telling you its a crap paper.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

however this pans out it should be remembered that Libyans were one of the least likely people in the region to form an uprising, so i take from that that no one knows anything 

this from the Indy 29th Jan '11:
"The longest-serving leader in the Arab world, Colonel Muammar al Gaddafi has ruled Libya since seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1969. The eccentric dictator said he was “pained” by the fall of Mr Ben Ali. But despite his pariah status overseas and corruption at home, soaring oil prices have allowed Colonel Gaddafi to maintain high levels of economic growth, while Libyans enjoy a life expectancy of 75, one of the highest in Africa.

Like many oil-rich states, unemployment among the local population is high, with millions of immigrants employed to do the menial jobs. But despite very little political openness and restrictions on freedom of expression, there is no sign that the Libyans have much inclination to rise up against their 69-year-old leader.

"


that was broadly the consensus a few weeks ago - game changer as the yanks say 

Yep BJ, a week is a long time in politics, let alone "a few"!

That is how quickly human changes can take place, especially in the field of international politics, and how history is made for better or worse! 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

[albitz]

We should have seen all of this coming really. Tony Bliar spends his days as a middle east peace envoy these days.
He wrecks everything he goes near, and leaves a trail of chaos in his wake.
Still "call me Dave" has gone over to Egypt (reportedly with British arms dealers in tow) so Im sure he will have it all sorted by the weekend.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

We should have seen all of this coming really. Tony Bliar spends his days as a middle east peace envoy these days.
He wrecks everything he goes near, and leaves a trail of chaos in his wake.
Still "call me Dave has gone over to Egypt (reportedly with British arms dealers in tow) so Im sure he will have it all sorted by the weekend.

Oh yes Albs, whatever and whoever is the new regieme if that country is considered important enough to the West we will quickly 'side up' with them, along with exchanging a few kisses for all I know!


Of course in the old days it would have been to keep the USSR out, especially in the case of Egypt, but now it is to keep the radical Muslims away!

[cem_devecioglu]

however this pans out it should be remembered that Libyans were one of the least likely people in the region to form an uprising, so i take from that that no one knows anything 

this from the Indy 29th Jan '11:
"The longest-serving leader in the Arab world, Colonel Muammar al Gaddafi has ruled Libya since seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1969. The eccentric dictator said he was “pained” by the fall of Mr Ben Ali. But despite his pariah status overseas and corruption at home, soaring oil prices have allowed Colonel Gaddafi to maintain high levels of economic growth, while Libyans enjoy a life expectancy of 75, one of the highest in Africa.

Like many oil-rich states, unemployment among the local population is high, with millions of immigrants employed to do the menial jobs. But despite very little political openness and restrictions on freedom of expression, there is no sign that the Libyans have much inclination to rise up against their 69-year-old leader.

"


that was broadly the consensus a few weeks ago - game changer as the yanks say 

There are always opponents Banjax,  they will remain in the dark and in their shells until the day..

when the conditions mature and become ready , a world super power comes in contact and says "do it I'll support you ! "

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Let's also not forget that the regional political tension is now very high, and one false step could spell war.  Iran, and therefore, Israel are hovering waiting for the other to make a move, with warships along with other military units "just there" in case!!

The USA and the UK is also playing the same game!

[cem_devecioglu]

Let's also not forget that the regional political tension is now very high, and one false step could spell war.  Iran, and therefore, Israel are hovering waiting for the other to make a move, with warships along with other military units "just there" in case!!

The USA and the UK is also playing the same game!

Lizzie although historical and political ties/obligations push UK to play the same game,  its always the UK who pays the bill.. Remember , still US$ is the world currency which US can print as much as necessary to pay its bills.. :-/

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Let's also not forget that the regional political tension is now very high, and one false step could spell war.  Iran, and therefore, Israel are hovering waiting for the other to make a move, with warships along with other military units "just there" in case!!

The USA and the UK is also playing the same game!

Lizzie although historical and political ties/obligations push UK to play the same game,  its always the UK who pays the bill.. Remember , still US$ is the world currency which US can print as much as necessary to pay its bills.. :-/

Oh yes indeed Cem, and the USA did commercially very nicely out of the British in WW2 with what was left of the Empires fortunes going across the Atlantic!

Always has been, always will I suppose!  The USA take their pound of flesh!

[Dishevelled Den]

Let's also not forget that the regional political tension is now very high, and one false step could spell war.  Iran, and therefore, Israel are hovering waiting for the other to make a move, with warships along with other military units "just there" in case!!

The USA and the UK is also playing the same game!

Let's also not forget that the regional political tension is now very high

That factor alone makes this a much more dangerous situation with far-reaching implications.

[Dishevelled Den]

There are always opponents Banjax,  they will remain in the dark and in their shells until the day..

when the conditions mature and become ready , a world super power comes in contact and says "do it I'll support you ! "

Yes cem - that will always be the drawback in countries where the tribal system is the accepted norm.

It didn't matter too much where the African nations were concerned but matters a great deal in this oil rich, religiously charged, territorially aware and strategically placed region.

[cem_devecioglu]

There are always opponents Banjax,  they will remain in the dark and in their shells until the day..

when the conditions mature and become ready , a world super power comes in contact and says "do it I'll support you ! "

Yes cem - that will always be the drawback in countries where the tribal system is the accepted norm.

It didn't matter too much where the African nations were concerned but matters a great deal in this oil rich, religiously charged, territorially aware and strategically placed region.

you mean ticking bomb

[Lizzie_Zoom]

There are always opponents Banjax,  they will remain in the dark and in their shells until the day..

when the conditions mature and become ready , a world super power comes in contact and says "do it I'll support you ! "

Yes cem - that will always be the drawback in countries where the tribal system is the accepted norm.

It didn't matter too much where the African nations were concerned but matters a great deal in this oil rich, religiously charged, territorially aware and strategically placed region.

you mean ticking bomb

To me Cem it is very scary to think of what the powers behind the politicians in the corridors of the Pentegan and Whitehall are now up to!

The CIA and MI6 are now without doubt burning much midnight oil!

Must not forget either the Russian FSB!

[aaronjb]

Y'know.. all this talk of the middle east destabilising and plunging the rest of the world into economic and probably violent turmoil is thoroughly depressing.. especially having just paid £7k for double glazing and £2.2k for central heating in the same day and now staring at an empty bank account wondering what the point of it all is, the last thing I want to believe is that the world is about to thoroughly shit the bed..

Might as well go jump under a bus now, I reckon, before the next despot in line for the receiving end of an uprising decides to get in there first and nuke half the planet.