In its editorial condemning the assassination of Lebanese journalist Gibran Tueni, The Jordan Times came down hard on believers of conspiracy theories. Here is an excerpt:
The criminals who are orchestrating all these attacks are definitely doing Syria no favour. Still, this is no time for conspiracy theories. Only backward elements, sad dinosaurs entrenched behind a long-gone cold war mentality and naïve enough to think that anyone could believe them in this 21st century of ours, would point the finger at their usual suspects: The Zionist enemy, imperialist America, or both.
Thinking that serious allegations could be brushed off merely by resorting to decades-old rhetoric and propagandistic slogans is as ridiculous as irresponsible.
Indeed. I voiced similar sentiments in an earlier post published after the release of Melhis first report, saying then:
I wonder how believers in conspiracy theories in the Arab world (and there are loads of them) will spin this one? How will they find a way to pin the blame on the favorite Middle East culprits, the US or Israel? It will be interesting to watch. Never underestimate the creativity of analysts in the Middle East.
Unfortunately, I’m starting to believe that conspiracy theories will never die in this part of the world. They will always find a niche in the Middle East.
Hamako,
I greatly appreciate the fact that you replied since it means that you are prepared to for a healthy discussion over this matter. However, when you questione whether I believe that can do this through slightly more concrete arguements than ‘are you the Syrian regime, did you speak to it recently’?
Tsk, tsk, tsk….
One of the good things about Lebanon is the very wide array of newspapers. They are not exactly objective but when you read through most of them, you can pretty much form an idea of what is happening on the ground.
Kindly refer to these papers-or even pan-Arab ones-and then let’s chat.
Thanks!
Mildly insightful, heavily presumptious.
Where are the supporting facts in your argument? How do you know that the ‘Syrian regime knows it has nothing to lose and is suicidal’? Are you the Syrian regime, did you speak to it recently?
I think there is more evidence suggesting that Syria has a lot to lose, otherwise, they simply wouldn’t have denied the accusations right? I am not defending Syria, but I also refuse to jump on the bandwagon (or bakum) of attacking her because I am not in a position to do so.
To those who think that Syria was not behind the murder of Gebran Tueni:
The Syrian regime knows it now has nothing to lose-it is suicidal. It therefore plans to wreack has much havoc as possible in Lebanon. It gains a number of ways; it sends a message to those who were brave like Gibran to stand up for Lebanon, albite his flaws. He was not perfect but who is? Also, if Syria destabilizes Lebanon to the point of war (which is where we are heading if a major leader like Walid Junblatt or Hassan Nasrallah are killed) Damascus will also be throwing off track Washington’s plan for the Middle East, including presenting Lebanon as a democratic state in the region.
Perhaps I am in denial,but I’m happy in my little world,ok? lol!
But seriously,I am not implying that the US is perfect or that the government does not lie and deceive when it suits their purpose.But is it wrong for us to have a slightly ulterior motive in our foreign policy,and are we the only ones who do? I still believe this is the greatest country in the world right now in many ways.If it were not so,then why would millions of immigrants seek to live here,legally or illegally?
I should have differentiated between government and private aid,btw.American citizens routinely donate to relief agencies like the Salvation Army,Feed the Children,Operation Blessing,United Way,etc,which help both our own citizens and those in other countries.
I have to agree with Kagehl that a wounded animal does not act rationally or logically,though there is no proof (as yet) that Syria is behind the murders in Lebanon.
Why would they Luai? Try reading about Syria from a Syrian:
http://amarji.blogspot.com/
The ruling power isn’t interested in reform, the reformers are powerless and *neither* has any real control over the radicals in the country, not even within their own political party. I get the impression that if Chaos and incompetence could be distilled into a tangible substance, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between that distillation and the Syrian regime. These are not people in enough control of the situation to act ractionally. They are backed into a corner by their own past mistakes, an inability to change and the lack of a functional opposition movement that has the guts or ability to force out the incompetents. And when you back a wounded animal into a corner, does it do rational things?