Lines In The Sand

The Middle East and northern Africa circa 1914. (Courtesy of/www.clas.ufl.edu)

Middle Eastern borders, once imposed, are breaking down.

Saudi forces bombed another Northern Yemen town.

Libya has splintered; there are Syrians "in hell."

I can't name a single country where it's going well.

ISIL's killing refugees who've fled from Palestine.

It's not safe no matter where you draw some borderline.

Mix religion, history and tribal loyalties

And you get a situation where no side agrees.

I predict it won't get better 'til it's gotten worse

Meanwhile, we're the common enemy that many curse.

Every time we pick a side we make the others mad,

Angering established allies we might once have had.

 

We aren't winning hearts and minds and I have little doubt

Only if the countries in the region sort it out

Will they make a peace that has a chance of being kept.

Wish we'd thought of consequences there before we leapt.

Keep Congress Out Of Iran

With the framework for a way of dealing with Iran

President Obama's busy talking up the plan,

Saying that the deal's the best one that we're gonna get...

He has not convinced U.S. Republicans quite yet.

He can keep on talking but it won't do any good.

They insist they want to vote but I don't think they should.

If Barack Obama were to say the sky is up

Would there be Republicans in disagreement? Yup.

I don't trust they won't be playing petty politics

And it's too important that this new agreement sticks.

If we don't give peace a chance - don't trust and verify -

We could watch a chance to re-engage Iran slip by.

47 Senators have made their feelings known;

Give them all a chance to vote and this deal will be blown.

Let Obama do his job and try diplomacy,

Speaking with one voice on Middle Eastern policy.

Damned If We Do...

(Courtesy of/http://pretmetmohammed.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/pmm-shia-sunni.jpg)

Reformations are not pretty (that's to say the least.)

Look at the example now throughout the Middle East.

Muslims, having splintered into multitudes of sects,

Each of them interpreting the same religious texts

Do not trust each other well enough to compromise;

Ancient grievances behind the chaos on the rise.

Every time we've intervened we've just made matters worse.

Every time that someone dies it's us the mullahs curse.

Time we let Islamic leaders deal with their own crap;

We should stick to wiping ISIL forces off the map.

There's no winning strategy to fight religious wars.

All that we'll accomplish is to die on foreign shores.

Marie Harf Was Right

 

There's been recent ridicule because someone from State

Said that jobs can combat ideologies of hate

So attractive to the disaffected, angry boys

Most susceptible to slick ISIL recruitment ploys.

Poverty, corruption, inequality, and grief...

Growing old until death, finally, comes as a relief.

Young men will regret that they've "got but one life to give"

When they can't foresee a future they would wanna live.

ISIL gives them promises of glory - and of pay.

Feeling what they've got to lose ain't worth much anyway

Means we'll keep on whacking moles, but our job won't be done

'til those hopeless, young men's future is a better one.

Unsolicited Advice re: ISIL

President Obama says, if we intend to win

In a war with ISIL, some ground forces must go in.

U.S. boots on foreign ground to call in missile strikes;

Hunting down the vermin no one in the region likes.

ISIL threatens more than Middle Eastern countries, too.

Wish we had another choice, but I don't think we do.

When recruits they've trained go home, who knows what they've got planned?

Easier to kill them while they're in a foreign land.

I've got zero sympathy for those who've joined that group;

Don't care if they're stupid kids who ISIL sought to dupe.

Proud to be barbarians; they've advertised the fact...

Now we'll have observers there to catch them in the act.

We can't bomb a movement but adherents we can kill

And, with spotters on the ground, the more of them we will.

ISIL, time and time again, has proven it deserves

Our full force and fury.  I would call up the Reserves.

No Room At The Inn

Lebanese authorities were forced to shut the doors

At their border on the flood of refugees that pours

Out of towns in Syria, where civil war and strife

Forces their civilians into fleeing for their life.

Millions of uprooted have escaped to nearby states,

Which has driven wages down and raised the housing rates,
Causing major problems for the native Lebanese

(With one quarter of their population refugees.)

Now, at last, they've had enough and won't take anymore;

This is not a problem which the world can just ignore.

Lebanon has done its part (and more) and so should we.

We must end the conflict that the Syrians now flee.

It's past time for all of us to take a long, hard look

At the wars we're fighting which, as People of the Book,

Seems a form of fratricide that nobody can win,

Which, in all religions, is regarded as a sin.

Is Turkey Chicken?

Even though the Turks agreed to help us hunt them down

ISIL fighters are about to seize another town.

Feet across the border into Syria, it sits

But, 'though U.S. airstrikes have been blowing them to bits,

ISIL (with its heavy, hand-held  weapons) will still win

If the town can't get some reinforcements coming in.

U.S. wants the Turks to help...  So far, they've said "No thanks"

Even though the border's lined with Turkish troops and tanks.

Since Kobani's Kurdish there are people who believe

Turkey thinks its residents deserve what they'll receive.

I think it's more complicated - but it's also time

Turkey does its part to help us stop a new war-crime.

The Pottery Barn Rule - Belabouring a Metaphor

"If you break it then you've bought it;" so we've all been told.

Even though the cost is high (and I ain't talking gold.)

Even when the thing was damaged long before we came;

Even if it isn't - ever - gonna be the same.

It's not like we were not warned 11 years ago

That the thing could shatter into pieces...  Now we know

It's not just a single item that we went and broke;

We've brought down the whole damn store in flames and toxic smoke.

Now the rats are scurrying throughout the neighborhood;

We're obliged to go back in and clean them out for good.

But, while we are hunting them, let's try hard not to make

Any major purchases of something else we break.

The UN and ISIL - Promises, Promises

President Obama addressed the UN General Assembly yesterday. (Photo/in.reuters.com)

President Obama gave a speech at the UN

(Kinda like when Daniel stepped into the lions' den)

He stood up to Russia in support of the Ukraine;

Said that Putin's actions there would cost more than they'd gain.

Mainly though, he spoke about the flailing Middle East;

Pointing out, when tensions rise, religions are the yeast.

Sunni versus Shia versus Christian versus Jew...

When you fund a sect you're funding terrorism, too.

Voting was unanimous; the Council stands opposed

To the new Islamic State (whose oil fields we've just closed.)

Countries pledged to do their part - whatever that might be.

Will they keep their solemn words? We'll have to wait and see.

The Scottish Independence Vote

(Photo/Courtesy of theguardian.com)

Doesn't matter if you took the high road or the low;

Scots, in a secession referendum, voted No.

Meaning that they chose to stick with England and with Wales

And the Northern Irish...  From the Highlands to the dales

85% of those who registered took part.

Independence voters wound up trailing from the start.

Polls showed things much tighter in the race, but I would guess

Scotsmen didn't advertise if they were voting Yes.

Either that or England's last ditch effort at the Scots

(Letting Edinburgh  be the one to call the shots

On some local issues) may have paid off dividends.

As for this American; I'm glad the two stayed friends.

Glad the kingdom's still united; that it didn't split.

World is busy fracturing and I've grown sick of it.

Scotland's voters proved beyond the shadow of a doubt

People of good will can find a way to work things out.

Whacking Moles

Critics are complaining that Obama's stated goal -

Going after ISIL - is like playing "Whack a Mole."

First we hit al Qaeda hard - invade Afghanistan;

Hit again when they reorganize in Pakistan.

Hammer them in Africa; they pop up in Iraq.

When they crawl out of their holes we take another whack.

'though the critics have a point, it isn't quite the same...

These moles want to hurt us and the fight is not a game.

True, these guys are vermin who we'll have to hunt and kill

And this infestation will keep spreading there until

Countries in the region put their differences aside;

Muslim leaders find a way to heal their great divide.

If they cannot pull together things will fall apart...

Still, our coalition to fight ISIL is a start.

Enemies of enemies could, possibly, be friends;

That's the only way extremist terrorism ends.

Supporting The President's Strategy

President Obama, with his Nobel Prize for Peace,

And determined that we not become the world's police

Did his best to extricate us from the Middle East...

Give the poor man credit for attempting it, at least.

'though we tried to walk away from it - they've dragged us back.

The Islamic State is where we'll focus our attack.

With a coalition, some who wish to not be named,

Fearful that, when things go wrong, their governments get blamed.

Countries who believe we lack the will to see this through;

Betting that Americans are sick of war...  That's true.

What they haven't counted on, however, is the fact;

We are very good at war once we decide to act.

Congress must support Obama; give him all he needs.

Our words aren't enough right now.  They must be backed with deeds.

We can't fix the Middle East...  Of that there's ample proof.

But, we can find ISIL and put missiles through their roof.

Good Job ISIL

ISIL has accomplished what the U.S. never could;

They've united all the countries in their neighborhood.

What's the single issue on which everyone agrees?

ISIL's brutal fighters must be driven to their knees.

Nations in the region who have always been at odds -

Fighting ever since the mind of man conceived of gods -

Put aside their arguments to face a common foe;

All of them determined, now, that ISIL has to go.

Maybe these alliances between them all won't last

Once this existential threat to Islam's in the past...

But, it's also possible a corner has been turned

And extremist ideologies might yet be spurned.

Now a man who'd only say "America" to cuss,

Iran's Ayatollah's, making overtures to us.

It's an opportunity the U.S. shouldn't waste.

Good job ISIL...  Thanks alot.  We'll see you guys post-haste.

Unsolicited Advice for Hamas

(Cartoon/Courtesy of youngcons.com)

Egypt tried to broker peace inside the Gaza Strip.

Israel stopped shooting but Hamas just let 'er rip...

Not just "accidental" missiles - they've shot 35 -

So, Israelis' war machine is shifting back to drive.

I can't say I blame them, either...  I'd be pretty mad

If my government did not use everything it had

Making sure that people shooting missiles at me stop.

What's the matter with the Hamas leaders at the top?

Don't they care that their civilians are the ones who've bled?

Can't they see it's Palestinians who end up dead?

They can't win the shooting war they're fighting now, so why

Won't they give a brokered peace with Israel a try?

Not So Far, Far Away

Israel has called up reservists and positioned tanks along its border with the Gaza Strip. (Photo/Courtesy of TimesofIsrael.com)

Israel's preparing to invade the Gaza Strip;

Planning to impose a peace by tightening its grip.

After 3 Israeli teens were murdered - in revenge -

One young man was burned alive; Hamas swore to avenge

Terrorism by some Jews on Palestinians,

Claiming that the vicious few make all barbarians.

Growing anger in the streets became a major factor;

Hamas fired missiles at a nuclear reactor.

Israel believed it had no choice and fired back.

Eighty Palestinians were killed in the attack.

Airstrikes in the hundreds have been going on all night.

Missiles out of Gaza have been shot down in mid-flight.

But, if even one gets through, those tanks are bound to roll

And it's Palestinians who'll pay the highest toll.

The Israelis also lose for, as they tighten grips,

Fast and far away the hope for peace between them slips.

The Middle East - Ready! Fire! Aim!

When I hear someone suggest the U.S. get involved -

Send our military in and get the problems solved -

Treating war as if it's just another kind of game,

I can't help but think they're shouting: Ready! Fire! Aim!

Arab Spring's resulted in a bitter Arab fall;

Adding yet, more weapons to the mix can't help, at all.

There are quite enough of those, but...  Refugees need food.

Starving people with no hope just sit around and brood.

If we want to see real change and want to play a part,

Giving all those displaced people aid would be a start.

I don't want to arm the rebels - gladly'd feed the poor...

But, until we care for vets we have, don't make some more.

Dear Mr. Cheney et al. - You're Kidding, Right?

Former Vice President Dick Cheney

ISIS is establishing a modern Caliphate

Based upon fanaticism...  Isn't that just great.

Thank you Bush and Cheney; you guys kicked the hornets' nest,

Certain that America was right and knew what's best.

Ever since, the region has been going up in flames.

Now Dick Cheney's claiming it's Obama who he blames.

It was not Obama who invaded on a whim;

I cannot believe the gall of Cheney blaming him.

This war has been brewing for a century, or more.

It's about religious sects and settling a score.

Once dictators fell, removing pressure from the lid,

Experts warned some countries might explode - and so they did.

All the blood and treasure spent on playing global cop

Didn't make this process one the U.S.A. could stop...

But, to say Obama caused the current Mid-East mess,

Means you're badly misinformed (by FOX, would be my guess.)

Sykes and Picot Were Idiots

During World War I, the major powers drew some lines;

They decided who got oil and who got diamond mines.

Sticking to those borders, which were drawn without regard

For the locals' feelings on the subject's, proving hard.

They're the cause of "civil" wars, attempts at genocide;

Hard to estimate how many people may have died,

All because we started drawing lines upon the sand.

I suspect this isn't working quite the way they planned.

Africa, the Middle East... Religious sects and tribes;

At each others throats (when they're not out collecting bribes.)

All those simple lines they drew aren't easy to erase.

Even now we feel the need to straighten up the place.

Seems to me we've done enough; we'll only make things worse.

Rising tide of change is something we cannot reverse.

Militants will not be stopped by lines drawn on a map

But by locals who decide they're tired of this crap.

In A Democracy You Get What You Deserve

Weekend saw a few elections held across the pond...

Politicians who would like to loosen ties that bond

European Union member nations won the day.

Tired of austerity, the voters voted "Nay!"

Half of Ukraine voted; not much turn-out in the East.

Faced with armed militias... Don't blame voters in the least.

In the West the winner was a candy billionaire.

Putin said he'd honor the results if they were fair.

Egypt held elections, too; the outcome no surprise.

Winner is a former Army General in disguise.

After leading Egypt's coup, took off his uniform.

In the region, that's not the exception, it's the norm.

U.S. will hold mid-terms soon but most of us won't vote.

By default, we'll let the special interests steer the boat

All the while complaining...  We have got a lot of nerve.

People only get the government that they deserve.

Dear Mr. President... I've Got Your Back

It's better than an F

In the U.S. Senate, John McCain's been talking smack.

Do not worry Mr. President...  I've got your back.

Just ignore the insults you've been getting from McCain.

No one wants a war with Russia over the Ukraine.

Experts said you've been too weak in foreign policy;

They were asked to grade you...  Sir, you only got a C.

(It's still better than the F your predecessor scored)

You're accused of forging plow shares when you need a sword.

Didn't act in Syria when acting might have helped;

Never mind that, since the days when Romulus was whelped,

There've been wars with roots and causes we don't understand.

U.S. can't impose a peace upon a foreign land.

We could help the refugees who've fled that civil war.

Situation's tragic... 'though we're helping, let's do more.

Send aid to the countries who are in the neighborhood.

This time, when we get involved, perhaps we'll do more good.