Libya and the Changing equastion

Planned strategy on missile strikes vital The missile strikes against Libya need to be carried out as per a planned strategy which will include the duration and the final targets as the operation might take weeks and months without any signs of progress or end in sight. There is no doubt that the international community was forced to come to rescue after seeing the brutal actions of the Libyan dictator against his people, yet there are hopes that this north African desert will not become another example of a never-ending war. However, many questions need to be answered like how long the allies will be there, who will take power when Gaddafi leaves, and how many safety valves can be placed. Also, there must be efforts to provide legitimacy to the new ruler after the actual removal of the corrupt regime. Moreover, the operations of the US, UK and France must be limited to avoid any ground wars which are costly and long, especially since we are in the middle of a global financial crisis. In light of the existing circumstances, it seems the best solution is to engage the UN forces as peace keepers with the involvement of Arab League (after heavy and limited air strikes on target sites) and propose a truce in order to manage a power transition without bloodshed and to prevent another Iraq or Afghanistan in North Africa. Email: labeed.abdal@gmail.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By: Labeed Abdal http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/167269/reftab/73/t/Libya-and-the-changing-equation/Default.aspx

Arabs face challenges

Direction lost
THE Middle East recently witnessed unprecedented changes, which were not possible in the 1920s or 1930s. It seems the wave of protests in the region is part of the new world order due to the sudden change in the attitude of the Arabs towards their old regimes. So far, most of the uprisings have been triggered by poverty, absence of better opportunities or jobs and freedom of expression.

Several Arab regimes have started implementing legal and administrative reforms, even if it is too late, just to please the people and defuse their anger. However, the situation has been chaotic and uncertain for many years.
The level of uncertainty became too high, shocking the so-called ‘superpowers’ and ‘observers’. They suddenly lost direction due to the remarkable changes in the rules of the game, particularly the regulations laid down after World War I.

We can compare the current situation to a delicate surgery, which requires careful pre and post-operation preparations. This makes us wonder if the old rules will be implemented again. Will the new rules lead to real freedom in the Arab nations? Or it depends on the Sudanese separation model that might be used in Iraq, Egypt, Libya and maybe Syria.

The Arab countries are currently facing a number of challenges, but it all depends on what they can say or do for their future in the presence of the strong Middle Eastern or global powers.

Email: labeed.abdal@gmail.com


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By: Labeed Abdal

Equal rights urged

Multiculturalism vital
The Daily Telegraph, on Feb 5, 2011, published an article about British Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech on national identity and religious tolerance in which he said there is ‘passive tolerance’ for divided communities.The British system believes in freedom of speech and religion, democracy and equal rights regardless of race or sex. Proclaiming a doctrine of ‘muscular liberation,’ Cameron said everyone, from ministers to ordinary voters, should actively confront those who hold extremist views, and warned that groups that fail to promote British values will no longer receive public money or be able to engage with the state.He made the speech at an international security conference in Munich, after Daily Telegraph disclosed the extent to which British intelligence community fears the ‘unique threat’ of terrorist attacks by radicalized British Muslims.Cameron’s talk was realistic and must be taken seriously by the British community without any blame game, as I must say there are legitimate channels for those who acquired British nationality to give their opinion. In fact, even the second or third generation immigrants have this right and are given full and equal rights in education, health and employment.In multicultural societies, immigrants should make positive, healthy and responsible contribution in the exchange of cultures, not by terror and without trying to undermine others. The system too should ensure that whites and all others are fairly treated.Moreover, in democratic systems in all parts of the world, the governments and parliaments do reflect the development of laws, public rights and liberties by maintaining the rights of people to vote and have representation in parliament which highly reflects the voice of people and the nation in general and helps in creation of a public culture and setting limits without the need of radical or extreme ways of expression.Email: labeed.abdal@gmail.com
By: Labeed Abdal
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/166122/reftab/36/t/Equal-rights-urged/Default.aspx