Answering yesterday's questions: Mideast going to hell

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Friday, November 6, 2009 - 4:23 PM Share

John McCreary of NightWatch fame answers my question of yesterday about what the Saudi bombing in Yemen (and the Israeli arms interception near Cyprus) might mean:

The significance is that Saudi Arabia is now engaged in counter-insurgency operations. Tallying the score in the Middle East-south Asian region during the past five years, a Shiite government is in Baghdad, replacing a secular government, but violence is down for now.
The Taliban in Afghanistan now operate in more than 220 of the 400 districts in Afghanistan, compared to fewer than 30 five years ago. A new Pakistani Taliban movement has sustained insurgency in the Pakistan border regions and spread terror east of the Indus River boundary and threatened to carry it to India.
Iran and North Korea have continued to proliferate weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. Lebanon has no government. Most Central Asian states have returned to the Russian fold. Western China has become less stable and more unpredictable. Yemen is fighting a low level civil war that has now required Saudi Arabian air force assistance. Iran continues to send arms to its proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia. New Iranian made rockets now held by Hamas in Gaza can reach Tel Aviv, and maybe Dimona. Iran's nuclear program continues to expand.
The tally does not look like progress towards stability."

garlandcannon/Flickr

EXPLORE:MIDDLE EAST, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN, IRAQ, ISLAM, ISRAEL/PALESTINE, PAKISTAN, SECURITY, TALIBAN, TERRORISM

(4)

HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE

TYRTAIOS

5:51 PM ET

November 6, 2009

Help a brother out?

Tom, may I utilize your blog for a plea? When we invade Yemen in the future, I would ask our troops be on the lookout for several picture albums that were stolen from my aircraft hold luggage while transiting in Sana'a some years back?

I can be reached at 703-521-6800.

Thank you. :\

RHYNO327

2:07 PM ET

November 14, 2009

its gettin hot

i think the Saudi's will now actively participate, in some way, in the bombing of Iran's nuke sites, etc. Its shaping up along religious lines, and Iran is #1 on the "hit list"..it will only get worse, there will be an arms buildup by US allies in the Gulf. I bet the arms makers in the US are overjoyed...

TIMBERLAND

5:06 AM ET

December 9, 2009

Timberland Boots

Mens Custom Timberland Boots
$150.00 $84.00
Save: 44% off
Timberland Custom Boots men Premium Guaranteed Waterproof leather for comfort, durability and abrasion resistance ; Timberland tree logo stamped on inside of tongue ; Direct-attach waterproof construction keeps feet dry and comfortable ; Durable laces with Taslan fibres for long-lasting wear ; Rubber lug outsole for traction and durability ; Padded collar for a comfortable fit that locks out debris ; Rustproof hardware for long-lasting wear ; Embroidered logo on side

http://www.brawbuy.com/
http://www.myjerseysky.com/
http://www.ghdprincess.com/

TIMBERLAND

7:47 AM ET

December 11, 2009

Timberland Boots

Womens Roll-Top Timberland Boots
$143.00 $83.00
Save: 42% off
Timberland Roll-Top Boots womenPremium, full-grain, waterproof leather for comfort, durability and abrasion resistance ; Direct-attach, seam-sealed, waterproof construction keep feet dry in any weather ; Quarter panel crafted with rich shearling leather and is unconstructed so it can be worn up or rolled down ; Durable laces with Taslan? fibers and rustproof hardware for long-lasting wear ; Inside of shoe is lined with shearling - up to the toe box which is lined with breathable fabric ; Rubber lug outsole for traction and durability ; Embossed Timberland tree logo on the side ; Steel shank provides maximum support ; Waterproof

http://www.brawbuy.com/
http://www.myjerseysky.com/
http://www.ghdprincess.com/