The situation in Libya is confused and quite disturbing. Qaddafi has disappeared; nobody knows exactly what is happening in Tripoli. We seem to be witnessing the Iraqi scenario all over again: French, US, and British forces are helping the rebels both on the ground and in the air as they try to convince the world that their intention is to protect civilians and to free the country from “this monstrous dictator.” We heard the same tune before, in 2003, when former ally and friend (during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War), Saddam Hussein, suddenly became a tyrant with a sinister face in contrast to the purity of American policy. It was all about weapons of mass destruction, freedom, democracy, and civilization, we were told. All lies. A few years after the American economic blockade (enacted by President Bill Clinton) that was killing more than 500,000 innocent Iraqi civilians per year, the Bush administration was ready to launch a war and to kill again. Hence one should remain cautious about the way things are going to be handled in the region. China, India and Russia are new actors and beyond promoting democracy or not the Middle East remains first and foremost a battlefield for economic interests. It is unlikely that these interests will be neglected in the name of a so-called new longing for Arab democracy. -- Tariq Ramadan
http://newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamAndWest_1.aspx?ArticleID=5443
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