What’s going on in the Middle East?
Demonstrations in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya.
Is it coincidental? That other people in other counties see what is happening (on TV or the Internet etc) and think, ‘We should be doing that!’
Or is it being orchestrated? By outside influences?
Now Iran wants to send warships into the area:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12493614
And that makes Israel very nervous.
Is it something very far away, in distant lands?
And nothing to do with us?
Unless they cancel the Bahrain Grand Prix!!!
Any thoughts?
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Give me golf clubs, fresh air and a beautiful partner, and you can keep the clubs and the fresh air.
(Jack Benny)

If the West orchestrated events in Eygpt to oust Mubarak, maybe they've unwittingly set of a chain reaction of uprisings of the under-classes in the Middle East? I'm sure that the West will do everything they can to help the protestors influence policy and government appointments in these countries now the opportunity is there. Still surprised about the Egypt uprising though. Mubarak was a thieving bastard but he was pro-West and was (by and large) on relatively peaceful terms with Israel. Maybe the West didn't like the look of the man being groomed to be his successor and decided to act accordingly?

@Handsel
I read years ago that Nostradamus predicted the end of the world and im sure it was 2012 ???? and it was predicted it would start in the middle east.....
I cant justify this because although i do have a book of Nostradamus ill need to admit i havnt really read it.But then again you either believe in prophecy or you dont!

The success of the Tunisians has spurred on their North African and Middle Eastern neighbours.

These guys aren't used to having the power to change things, so seeing that it is possible has given them some confidence to attempt the same in their respective countries.

I can't say if there are any outside influences causing the uprises. For one thing, when an old despot is deposed, no one can say for sure who will take their place in leading their country. If there were any outside influences, I doubt they are coming from the West.

Even if there were democratic elections, the West and Israel cannot be sure that a friendly government will be voted in. There's always the danger that a friendly dictator gets replaced by a democratically voted hostile or radical. So it is hard to see the end game for the West orchestrating the uprises.

I don't think we can sit back and be complacent over here. People seem to have their various gripes that have festered over years and the effects of the cuts on their living standards may just tip them over the edge.

If you consider that a couple of years ago, no one could have predicted that students will become politicised again, albeit for reasons close to their wallets.

If people in the UK start to feel pushed to the limit for whatever reason and feel they have less to lose, things could kick off here too.

Aren't they lining up Barcelona as a backup for the Grand Prix? I might book a flight in speculation- not to mention all that Spanish talent.

_________________
"The tighter you grasp Lord Vader, the more it will slip through your fingers."

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"The tighter you grasp Lord Vader, the more it will slip through your fingers."

Thanks for that, zack!
(You can see the text if you look at [quote])

It's a conspiracy, you know!
They don't want the world to see your words!
Just too damned dangerous!
The whole Western world is prone to this type of revolution.
Except, maybe, the UK - where the protest marching chant goes:
What do we want?
Gradual change!
When do we want it?
In due course!
_________________
Give me golf clubs, fresh air and a beautiful partner, and you can keep the clubs and the fresh air.
(Jack Benny)

Aye, I edited quite a bit out...it was a whole lot longer! A tortured and dangerous personal political rite of passgage plea to the now non masses... segueing into a vehement call to all of those toned gym arms!

BROTHERS, SISTERS! eeeeer...It's been so long that I've been to a gym, now...but, I dunno there's something there...that kinda of overthrow, thing you do, sat there on that machine...that's the motion...OVERTHROW! OVERTHROW! OVERTHROW!

(Cameron, Clegg) OVERTHROW! OVERTHROW! (Cameron, Clegg) OVERTHROW! OVERTHROW!
_________________
"The tighter you grasp Lord Vader, the more it will slip through your fingers."

Osama bin Laden was killed (allegedly) today. Mixed feelings in this regard: 1) I admired him for standing up against the tyranny and dictatorship of the West, 2) I despised him for killing innocent people in aid of his cause, 3) I felt elated today when I heard he'd been killed, but... 4) then saw the sordid room he was killed in - and the pooled blood on the floor, and felt pity and ashamed at what some people can do in the interests of so-called 'freedom' from both sides.

Hello every one, and wish you accept me as one of your friends, and need to say that I am so happy for Osama was killed today, hope in real, cause he made a big sin in all religions. And destroy Islam picture for everyone, and bring hate and anger to all Muslims in all the world. hope the world will be more better for every one

The US has now revealed that the DNA of the person they shot, killed and buried at sea is 'almost' a 100% match for Osama Bin Laden's... almost... but, not quite. Hmm...

Maybe they shot his dog or his cat, as apparently Bin himself has bin dead since about 2002

The trouble is that the uprisings have stalled in Libya and Syria with very little progress being made by the rebels. And worst of all the British left are not supporting the Libyan uprising either, they seem to think it is a CIA conspiracy, the idiots.

My uprising could do with a really good flare-up, believe you me...!