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| Iraq |
| Cohen: Mideast Echoes Of 1938 |
| 2006-08-22 |
| WaPo August 22, 2006; Page A15 In his upcoming book about the horrors of the 20th century, "The War of the World," the British historian Niall Ferguson has a chapter called "The Pity of Peace." It is about 1938, when World War II loomed, and Britain -- especially and importantly Britain -- did precious little to stop it. The warnings of Churchill -- "believe me, it may be the last chance . . ." -- were ignored, and the government under Neville Chamberlain obstinately pursued a policy that forever after made the word appeasement one of the most odious in history. Somehow, though, it looks like 1938 all over again. The events in the Middle East are often compared to 1914 and the start of World War I. That war -- the Great War, the war to end all wars -- is actually the all-purpose war. It not only began for what seemed like a trivial reason (the assassination of someone who wasn't a head of state) but it was fought with tenacity and brutality for what now seems no reason at all. In the end, millions died and the world was utterly changed. Why? |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #6 Not so fast with the correction. The events in the Middle East are often compared to 1914 and the start of World War I. That war -- the Great War, the war to end all wars -- is actually the all-purpose war. It not only began for what seemed like a trivial reason (the assassination of someone who wasn't a head of state) but it was fought with tenacity and brutality for what now seems no reason at all. In the end, millions died and the world was utterly changed. Why? |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2006-08-22 23:09 |
| #5 Not WW1, 1938=WW2. There are similarities to situations prior to the start of both conflagrations, none of which apply to anything more than "those who do not learn from history are forced to repeat it." |
| Posted by: FOTSGreg 2006-08-22 20:01 |
| #4 And what is this crap about comparing the current situation to WW1? I haven't heard that once, not since the early days after 9/11 when a few people were thinking of restoring the Ottoman Empire and calling the middle east a do-over. A thought I'd entertain if the Turks hadn't proved to be jerks. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2006-08-22 15:51 |
| #3 Even the Europeans can see that the cease-fire will break down and Israel will likely go ape-shit on Hezbollah. I don't blame them for not wanting their troops in the way until they are sure the war is actually over. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2006-08-22 15:33 |
| #2 "The United States is not only preoccupied, it is loathed. " The US is perfectly capable of handling this if we didn't care that we are loathed. By whom are we loathed? The evil side or the Euros, or do I repeat myself? The US is in the role of leading the horse (Euros) to water; we can't make them drink. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2006-08-22 15:15 |
| #1 "...Europe without American leadership is a mere tourist destination." -comedically true unfortunately. Wasn't France supposed to send like 1,500 troops and now they're down to around 200? I can't wait to see this abortion unfold. |
| Posted by: Broadhead6 2006-08-22 14:50 |