Middle East Meltdown ...

Eric · 28-01-2011, 19:00

Anyone following what's happening in Egypt? Things starting to look a little shakey. Problem with Egypt is that it has, for a while anyhow, been an ally of the US, and kind of ok with Israel. And amid all the smoke, and tear gas, I can't figure out what will come of it.

Another powerful Islamist state could really screw things up for Western interests ... I think it might be time to invest in gold ... What happened in Tunisia, I could understand; but this Egypt thing seems to have caught a bunch of people off guard.

SPUGGIE J · 28-01-2011, 19:51

Considering there is major sea trade highway next to Egypt people should be worried. There seems to be a lot of discord in North Africa at the moment and that is a worry as well.

garinda · 28-01-2011, 19:59

Forget Velvet Revolutions, this is the age of Facebook/Twitter/mobile phone insurgencies.

Not planning any holidays to the southern shores of the Mediterranean, this year.

steeljack · 28-01-2011, 20:12

Think we can be sure of one thing, the Saud family must be feeling a bit "uncomfortable" during all this , seems there are also anti-govt. riots in Muslim Albania , and a bit of un-rest in Turkey .

be interesting to see how soon the price of Gas/Petrol goes up at the pump

Eric · 28-01-2011, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Forget Velvet Revolutions, this is the age of Facebook/Twitter/mobile phone insurgencies.

Not planning any holidays to the southern shores of the Mediterranean, this year.

Right-on on the social networking thing; this is one aspect of the new technology I hadn't considered .... not surprising, considering I can remember a house without tv .... I guess our unruly neighbours to the south of us are concerned ... and there's $1.5 billion of military aid going there every year. I wonder if the Israeli Air Force are warming up their engines.

garinda · 28-01-2011, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

and a bit of un-rest in Turkey

That's one good news story.

It might delay, or hopefully prevent, Turkey's planned entry into the welcoming arms of the E.U.

steeljack · 28-01-2011, 20:22

Wasn't it part of the Bush/Blair theory/policy that the Iraqi invasion was the first step in bringing Democracy to the mid-east ....

Eric · 28-01-2011, 20:27

As a long shot, it could be Iran that goes next ... I'm wondering if there is going to be a rash of mass unrest all over the region.

steeljack · 28-01-2011, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric

As a long shot, it could be Iran that goes next ... I'm wondering if there is going to be a rash of mass unrest all over the region.

Not sure if you get FOX (Faux) News in Canada , a Murdoch owned mouthpiece for the Republicans , just had a couple of "pundits" on who are blaming Iran for stirring things up , seems a bit odd to me since the Iranians are Shia and most Egyptians are Sunni .

Be interesting if we could find out how many tons of gold are being moved to safer locations in Europe from the mid-east, happen Boeing guy will have heard a rumour or two

Eric · 28-01-2011, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

Wasn't it part of the Bush/Blair theory/policy that the Iraqi invasion was the first step in bringing Democracy to the mid-east ....

The last thing that the US and their client state in the region want is democracy in Egypt. The "strong man" type of govt. best suits their interests. I bet there are a few nervous folks in DC and Tel Aviv with their fingers crossed hoping that the army comes out on top. The Islamic Brotherhood would be a disaster. Democracy wouldn't be as bad ... as long as the democratically elected leaders would be prepared to kiss US ass big time.

I think the whole region could go into turmoil. If I had spare cash, I would be buying shares in Athabaska tar sands development.

Wynonie Harris · 28-01-2011, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric

I think the whole region could go into turmoil.

Personally, I blame 13 years of Labour government.

garinda · 28-01-2011, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Personally, I blame 13 years of Labour government.

I think it goes back further than that.

I blame that woman Cleopatra, the asses' milk snatcha.

DaveinGermany · 28-01-2011, 21:40

Aye, keeping a passing eye on it. When all's said & done there's always been a bit of unease in that part of the World due to the majority being beaten down by the moneyed minority.

garinda · 28-01-2011, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

Aye, keeping a passing eye on it. When all's said & done there's always been a bit of unease in that part of the World due to the majority being beaten down by the moneyed minority.

Cue post about some Biblical revelation, prophesying Armageddon, started by a mobile phone, in a neighbouring kingdom to Canaan.

Eric · 28-01-2011, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

Aye, keeping a passing eye on it. When all's said & done there's always been a bit of unease in that part of the World due to the majority being beaten down by the moneyed minority.

You mean the Coservative/Lib-Dems are in power there too