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The Confused Person's Guide to ME Conflicts


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http://www.theatlant...nflicts/388883/

KARL SHARRO MAR 27 2015, 12:12 PM ET

original.jpg

Confused about what’s happening in the Middle East? No need to worry—our research team at the Institute of Internet Diagrams has come up with the ultimate explainer in the shape of an interactive diagram that sums up the geopolitical alliances traversing this ancient region, which dates back to the Mesozoic Era.

The diagram clearly maps out the relationships between the main players as well as external powers, like the United States and Russia, that are deeply involved in the region. It is best to view the diagram using 3-D glasses, but the graphic will still work if none are available.

While it is common to hear people describe the Middle East as a complex and obscure place, the diagram plainly illustrates that this is not the case. The relationships follow logical patterns reflecting geopolitical interests, partnerships, and conflicts. For example, the United States is evidently on friendly terms with Iran. In Iraq. But America is on the opposite side of the conflict in Yemen. In Syria, the U.S. and Iran are both against and with each other, depending on the outcome of the nuclear talks.

This partially reflects President Obama’s breakthrough system of decision-making, which goes beyond outdated binary oppositions. Forced to choose between confronting and appeasing Iran, Obama has chosen to do both, arguing that at least one of those policies is the right one. Despite critiques from conservatives who are still clinging to old-fashioned ideas, this way of thinking is quite popular in the Middle East, as reflected in the old proverb, “You can have your cake and eat it.”

By carefully following the lines one by one, you can see that Egypt and Qatar are against each other, except in Yemen where they are now allies; Saudi Arabia is both supporting and bombing ISIS; and Libya is its own worst enemy. But it’s best if you draw your own conclusions; the diagram only takes about three minutes to understand fully. After which, you will be qualified to advise President Obama on Middle East policy.

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:bow:

Nice Gif. I suspect if KK were the Democratic nominee she'd win the 2016 election. :big:
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http://www.theatlant...nflicts/388883/

KARL SHARRO MAR 27 2015, 12:12 PM ET

original.jpg

Confused about what’s happening in the Middle East? No need to worry—our research team at the Institute of Internet Diagrams has come up with the ultimate explainer in the shape of an interactive diagram that sums up the geopolitical alliances traversing this ancient region, which dates back to the Mesozoic Era.

The diagram clearly maps out the relationships between the main players as well as external powers, like the United States and Russia, that are deeply involved in the region. It is best to view the diagram using 3-D glasses, but the graphic will still work if none are available.

While it is common to hear people describe the Middle East as a complex and obscure place, the diagram plainly illustrates that this is not the case. The relationships follow logical patterns reflecting geopolitical interests, partnerships, and conflicts. For example, the United States is evidently on friendly terms with Iran. In Iraq. But America is on the opposite side of the conflict in Yemen. In Syria, the U.S. and Iran are both against and with each other, depending on the outcome of the nuclear talks.

This partially reflects President Obama’s breakthrough system of decision-making, which goes beyond outdated binary oppositions. Forced to choose between confronting and appeasing Iran, Obama has chosen to do both, arguing that at least one of those policies is the right one. Despite critiques from conservatives who are still clinging to old-fashioned ideas, this way of thinking is quite popular in the Middle East, as reflected in the old proverb, “You can have your cake and eat it.”

By carefully following the lines one by one, you can see that Egypt and Qatar are against each other, except in Yemen where they are now allies; Saudi Arabia is both supporting and bombing ISIS; and Libya is its own worst enemy. But it’s best if you draw your own conclusions; the diagram only takes about three minutes to understand fully. After which, you will be qualified to advise President Obama on Middle East policy.

It's an interesting try, but it stays at the artificial nation state level which are states created at the end of WWI. Those states were created by Western European countries to mostly carve up the Ottoman empire.

You have to look at the Sunni / Shia split that goes across those artificial states and ethnic groups too.

sunni_shia_nasr.jpg

The artificial nation states also separate ethnic groups like the Kurds, Sunni Arabs, Shia Arabs, etc.

mapMEethnic.jpg

The middle east should be split more like this

afj.jpg

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It's an interesting try, but it stays at the artificial nation state level which are states created at the end of WWI. Those states were created by Western European countries to mostly carve up the Ottoman empire.

Now integrate those three graphs into one. ;D

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So, let me get this straight.

You take dispersions of Shia and Sunni.

Mix it up with all these ethnicities that are scattered and mix-mashed all across the ME.

Thrown in Religious Hate.

Thrown in some more Ethnic Hate.

Thrown in some Nationalistic Hate.

Thrown in a whole bunch of Hate for Westerners.

Toss in some love for Western Ideas by some.

Now mix it all together as coarsely as possible.

Garnish with Nukes.

I got an idea. Lets leave it to them to fight it out for the next 100 years or so.

They will be able to slaughter each other faster than ever before.

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So, let me get this straight.

You take dispersions of Shia and Sunni.

Mix it up with all these ethnicities that are scattered and mix-mashed all across the ME.

Thrown in Religious Hate.

Thrown in some more Ethnic Hate.

Thrown in some Nationalistic Hate.

Thrown in a whole bunch of Hate for Westerners.

Toss in some love for Western Ideas by some.

Now mix it all together as coarsely as possible.

Garnish with Nukes.

I got an idea. Lets leave it to them to fight it out for the next 100 years or so.

They will be able to slaughter each other faster than ever before.

Not to be picky, but I think you left out the cup of tribalism. ;D

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It's an interesting try, but it stays at the artificial nation state level which are states created at the end of WWI. Those states were created by Western European countries to mostly carve up the Ottoman empire.

Now integrate those three graphs into one. ;D

No problem just bring back the Ottoman empire, they were effective bad guys for a long time. They just couldn't stop trying to conquer Europe too.

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The "author" is "confused"...

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Irony is indeed ironic. In the author's case...it is moronic as well. Dismissed.

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