America’s place in the Middle East—measured in troop levels, diplomatic engagement or influence—is not what it was
ago, scores of people packed into a Beirut concert hall for an evening of nostalgia. An Iraqi-born singer performed songs by Umm Kulthum, Egypt’s most famous diva. “The Lady” was an icon of Arab nationalism: a champion of the Palestinian cause and friend of Nasser, who often scheduled his speeches to follow her monthly concerts. On this evening the mostly Lebanese crowd was drawn from a mix of sects and classes.
The past decade has been one of disappointment. The axis of resistance has become a reactionary force. The Muslim Brotherhood’s slogan, “Islam is the solution”, turned out to be hollow: faith alone cannot solve socioeconomic problems. What seemed a zero-sum contest to reshape the Middle East has been fought to a draw, leaving much of the region miserable. “Some of those battles are not winnable in the short or long run,” acknowledges a diplomat from the Gulf.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, flew to Beirut a year ago after the catastrophic blast that shattered the Lebanese capital, hoping to cajole its venal leaders into serious reforms. A year later he is fundraising to ensure that the Lebanese army continues to feed its soldiers, a more modest ambition. Other European powers have little to do with the region. Russia and China look out only for their own narrow interests. Yet outsiders still loom large in the popular imagination.
Some countries are too far gone to return to the status quo ante. Foreign diplomats still hope for a peace deal that returns Yemen to the control of a-backed government. Yet a plethora of armed groups, many with competing interests, makes this impossible. This “Westphalian fantasy”, writes Nadwa al-Dawsari, an analyst at the Middle East Institute, a think-tank, “will not stop Yemen’s fracturing, and could even make it worse.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
The Palestinian cause no longer binds the Arab worldTheir struggle against Israel still looms large, but for Arab governments it has outlived its purpose | Special report
Leer más »
Iraq seeks anti-terrorism role in Baghdad summit with Iran, Arab Gulf states'Even if we bring the foreign ministers together at one table this could be considered a breakthrough to end the tensions between Iranians and the Gulf Arabs,' an official close to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi told Reuters.
Leer más »
Amazon Just Knocked $50 Off the Fitbit Sense for the First TimeNow's your chance to get this top-rated smartwatch at a discount.
Leer más »
IMF allocates record $650B to help countries offset pandemic effectsAllocation will provide additional liquidity to global economic systems, add to member countries’ FX reserves and reduce their reliance on more expensive domestic or external debt, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says.
Leer más »
World Bank halts aid disbursements to AfghanistanWorld Bank pauses disbursements in its operations in Afghanistan, saying it is 'deeply concerned' by the situation in the country, especially regarding women's rights, a bank spokesperson says
Leer más »
Tunisia's president extends suspension of parliamentTunisia's President Kais Saied extends the suspension of parliament until further notice after last month dismissing his prime minister and assuming executive authority in a move opponents branded a coup
Leer más »