Boxed Into a Corner

Below you will find an article written by Barry Rubin of the Jerusalem Post. I feel it paints an accurate picture of the trap the Sunni/Non-Extremest Arab countries have created for themselves. They either have to side with extremists that want them overthrown or see themselves portrayed as pro-American/Israeli. It's a mess of their own brewing and one they will have to deal with sooner than later.

Their obvious first move will be to link their position with an Israeli/Palestinian objective, going with what has always worked in the past: Blame it on Israel and appear to be forcing the U.S. to attempt to make peace. Behind the scenes we know they are terrified their days are numbered.

Here we go again.

The Region: The New Mideast Alignment
By BARRY RUBIN of The Jerusalem Post

The Middle East has undergone a dramatic shift in alignments, perhaps more significant than anything that has happened since the 1950s. On one side are the HISH powers - Hizbullah, Iran, Syria, Hamas - and on the other virtually every other Arab state. The latter, less radical group is also placed in a situation where its interests parallel those of Israel and the United States. They are very much aware of this fact.

There is, however, the rather big question of what, if anything, the relative moderates are going to do about that fact. In this context, there are four big issues with different factors affecting each one.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467731986&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull