Feb 04,2016 – JORDAN TIMES – RAMI G. KHOURI
My affection and respect for my good friend and colleague from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with whom I discussed current events in the Middle East over a leisurely Lebanese lunch last week was matched by our very different analyses of how tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia shaped the situation across the Middle East.
He explained why the military action by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others in Yemen was a decisive step that reflected the Gulf Arab states’ determination to stop Iran’s expanding influence in and even control of some Arab countries.
I suggested that such Arab fears of Iranian dominance were exaggerated and unrealistic.
I argued that for decades both Saudi Arabia and Iran had used their available soft and hard power instruments (money, religiosity, arms) to develop allies and improve their strategic relations across the region.
In fact, they were both acting in total accord with what regional powers routinely do in their regions, which is to develop close relations with like-minded allies in other countries in order to promote and protect their national interests.
Saudi Arabia in fact should have a strategic advantage in this, because it is an Arab society while Iranian-Persian culture is not.
The ability of Iran to develop close strategic ties with some Arab parties in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Palestine or Yemen, most notably, was due mainly to Tehran’s ability to exploit divisions and tensions within those Arab societies.
The Saudi-led Arab Gulf states did the same thing.
The minute those troubled Arab lands fixed themselves — which has not happened yet — the window for regional or foreign powers to jump in and develop a foothold through strategic links with some of the warring Arab parties would close.
In fact, I argued — bolstered by the cosmic combination of Lebanese dessert and white coffee — neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia has done very well in developing strategic relations of long-term value.
In Lebanon and Syria, for example, Iran has strong links with Hizbollah and the shrinking regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, but both these actors face serious political challenges in their own societies.
Saudi Arabia’s allies similarly enjoy very mixed conditions, especially the Sunni-dominated Future Movement in Lebanon and the anti-Assad rebels that Saudi Arabia and others support, who do not show any signs of either winning great popular support or being able to agree on an orderly transition to the post-Assad era.
The Ansarullah (Houthis) movement in Yemen is probably more of a burden than a benefit to Iran, and the Saudi-led war in Yemen is likely to create as many long-term problems as it resolves immediate threats of perceived Iranian hegemonic penetration.
Neither Riyadh nor Tehran strikes me as being in a healthy regional situation with their assorted allies and friends across the Arab region — mainly because these local Arab allies are precisely the players that have long contributed to the divisive politics and militant ideologies that are tearing apart the Arab world.
Fuelling the regional equivalent of local cockfights only guarantees that the air will be filled with more bloodied feathers, which is the situation we have across much of the Arab world today.
I assume in my analysis that Saudi Arabia and Iran do not plan to attack, control or weaken the other in the long-run — which they cannot do even if they tried, given their respective power and legitimacy.
Their many greater strategic interests should prod them to tone down their emotional and immature confrontational statements and actions, and instead act as the strong, mature regional powers that they are.
They should start by leading a bold diplomatic process to shape a Gulf-centric, Middle Eastern regional security architecture that is modelled on the Helsinki Process of a generation ago between the American- and Soviet-led camps.
That agreement accepted mutually divergent political and social ideologies, rejected military threats and allowed social, economic and political developments all around to run their course.
Both Iran and the Gulf states face serious socioeconomic and environmental challenges that require their full attention, for which sustained economic growth would be the most productive anchor in the years ahead.
The regional issues where Iran and Saudi Arabia must work together for their common well-being — replacing the catastrophic militarism of the United States-led Western powers — dwarf the simplistic perceived threats that seem to drive them now.
These include defeating Daesh and associated militant Salafist-takfiri threats; stabilising Syria, Iraq and Lebanon in configurations that those countries’ citizens determine are best for them; contributing to finding a permanent Arab-Israeli peace agreement; reshaping constructive long-term relations with slightly dazed regional powers like Turkey and Egypt; and, tackling the existential threat to the entire region of at least 100 million young and middle-aged Arabs whose poverty, lack of educational achievements and sense of lifelong hopelessness and poverty are the biggest danger that faces everyone in the region.
We finished our lunch over a slow coffee, embraced and went our ways, looking forward to the next gathering.
I was reinvigorated by our mutual reaffirmation of the principle that when friends disagree on political issues, they should enjoy a good meal together, discuss the relevant issues with full candour and respect, learn from each other, and get up from the table feeling wiser and more humble.
That would be my advice to the Iranian and Saudi Arabian leaderships for when they find themselves at the UN General Assembly meetings in New York next month.
That amazing delegates dining room at the UN headquarters beckons them like a guiding star from the political heavens.
– See more at: http://www.jordantimes.com/opinion/rami-g-khouri/suggestion-tehran-and-riyadh-0#sthash.B89iy7u8.dpuf
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Iran, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, The Muslim Times
MY SUGGESTIONS TO POLITICAL & SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF ARAB COUNTRIES & IRAN.
From my perspective of Syria, Iraq, Libya issue.
The fruit of century hate teaching between extremist sunni and shia is coming to the fruition. If you do good deed will come to you and if you do evil deed will come against you.
Millions innocent people have been suffering and killed. I am so sad, pity, and heartbreaking.Enough is enough.
This horrific conflict will not end soon until all political and spiritual leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran obey Human Right, and treat all people fairly regardless his belief, religion, race and race. This is the main key to achieve a permanent peace.
The root of conflict are in Saudi Arabia and Iran, as long as both countries still keep hating and judging each other, do not accept and respect each other, there is no peace in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, other Islamic countries. this is religious conflict just like conflict between Catholic and protestant 700 year ago.
This religious conflict can be solved with the word of wisdom that Allah provided in His Books;
Let us stick with the word of wisdom of almighty Allah
You may be sure that wisdom is good for your soul.Get wisdom and you have a bright future.Wisdom is offers you long life as well as wealth and honor. Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it.
Allah already warned in His books. Bible and Al Quran;
The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), said: “None of you has faith until you love for your neighbour what you love for yourself.”
These Golden Rules are found in Christianity, Judaism, and other religions.
“Love your neighbor as yourself. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
These are the messages we must give the next generation.(our children and grandchildren) at home and schools.
God condemn and curse the armed groups or armed rebels.
Political leaders and spiritual leader from both side, Sunni and Shiia should accept the different interpretation of Islam, and respect one another, just like our old brothers Catholic and Protestant can live in peace, harmony and productive way, because both accepted the different interpretation and respected one another.
No one or cleric is allowed to punish any body for sins as we are all sinner
Except someone who commit a criminal act, Government should bring them to justice.
In reality now, majority sunni or shia government oppress the right of religious minority like in Middle East, and Iran. This is not the true Islamic teaching. God condemn injustice or discrimination on the basis of religion,belief,race and gender.
The best solution is;
1. Majority lead government, but majority should/must protect the right of minority.
2. And liberty with justice for all people, citizen, equality, non discrimination on basis of race, religion, gender.
3.Freedom of religion, speech and expression.
4. Secular-democratic system, and separation of state and mosque, Church.
5. Love your neighbor as you love your self, or love all people, no incite hatred. Jihad, and martyr.
GOVERNMENT HAVE TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL OR MINORITY AS GOD COMMANDED IN BIBLE AND AL QURAN;
Allah commanded people to protect the right of INDIVIDUAL OR MINORITY in Bible and Al Quran :
And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak,are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is: “QS. 4:75.
These Golden Rules are found in Christianity, Judaism, and other religions.
Speak up for people who can not speak for themselve. protect the rights of all who are helpless.speak for them and be a righteous judge.protect the right of the poor and needy. Proverb 31:8.
ALL CITIZEN HAVE TO OBEY THE EXISTING AUTHORITY EVEN YOU DO NOT LIKE OR AGAINST YOUR FAITH.
Say: “O Allah, O Lord of the Kingdom, You give kingdom to whom You will, and take kingdom away from whom You will; and You bestow honor on whom You will, and bring disgrace to whom You will. In your hand lies the betterment (of everyone). You are surely powerful over everything. QS 3;(26.
BIBLE.
Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God.Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered .Roman 13:1-2).
AL QURAN.
Obey Allah, obey the Prophet, and obey those in authority among you. (Surat an-Nisa, 4:59).
HADITS.Listen and obey your authority,though he struck your back and take your wealth force .( Muslim ).
ALLAH CONDEMN AND CURSE THE ARMED GROUPS OR ARMED REBELS.
Those who plot evils ( to topple the authority), theirs will be severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish. QS 35;10.
Those who support the Armed rebels also will be punished.
I urge strongly all ARMED REBELS obey God’s laws,and existing authority. God will bless you with a good live, but if you reject , God will punish you severely..
All citizen have to obey the existence authority, even you do not like or against your faith, BUT you have a right to protest peacefully. or you can go to other countries as Prophet moved to Ethopia.
Those who do not obey Allah and Authority will be punished and their life will be disgraced in this world, punished severely on Hereafter. More than one million people will live in suffering because they do not obey Authority and Allah laws.
As Allah said;
If you do evil act and reject the God’s law, God will bring on you disaster, confusion, and trouble in everything you do, until you are quickly and completely destroyed, This disaster will be with you until you die. Deuteronomy 28;20.
These are the core of Islamic teaching from Allah swt. If we obey these laws, we can live in peace, harmony, and prosperity. The world will be better place to live.
We Muslims are the ones who need to change. It is a Muslim problem that needs a Muslim solution. More moderate Muslim must speak up to ask all extremist Clerics to stop killing innocent people, gay-lesbian, blasphemy, Shiia, and infidel.
Stop inciting violence, JIHAD, stop accusing other beliefs are infidel, kafir, or enemy of Islam, stop feeding hatred toward other religions and other tradition in mosque. Instead of teaching hatred, teach them LOVE, TOLERANCE, FORGIVENESS, AND RESPECT DIFFERENT FAITHS.
Peaceful Muslim around the world have to Speak up – for justice for all people regardless the race, religion,and gender.
CHRISTIAN ARE MORE MATURE AND WISER THAN MUSLIM COMMUNITIES.
We should learn from Christian conflict between Catholic and Protestant in the past in Europe, 700 years ago,hundreds thousand people died and millions people left their home and escaped to other countries.
Now both communities Catholic and Protestant can live in peace, harmony, prosperity and productive way because both sides accepted the differences and respect one another.
Allah said.The believers are nothing else than brothers. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allâh, that you may receive mercy. O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at group,it may be that the latter are better than the former;QS49;10.
This Golden rule is found in Christianity and Jews or in Bible
Allah said:
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony in this beautiful world we share together.Psalm 133;1.
Love your neighbor as you love yourself, if you are really love Allah, but you hate your brothers, you are a big liar.
So, love all people even they do not share your faith, like Christian, Jews,Budha, Hindu, atheist and Gay-Lesbian without discrimination at all.
Love and justice for all, equality, tolerance and respect the different faith are the core of Islamic teaching from Allah swt.
We must give freedom of religion, but where we disagree we must give love,compassion, and forgiveness, instead of judgment and condemnation.
The best service to God is to promote cooperation and friendship between humans.
And those who pray “Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.”(74)
Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven because of their patient constancy; therein shall they be met with salutations and peace QS 25;(75).
These are the messages should be taught to the next generation and grandchildren
With all my love.