Survival.

At this stage, the Arab nationalist leaders have to fight for their survival.

“Reformed” leaders like Mubarak stay in power largely because of American help. The kings of Jordan who, admittedly, never really liked Arab nationalism, were saved from Syria by Israel. And Abbas, I am sure, stays in power mostly because Israel still supports his “government”.

Okay, so what if the Nasserites, the remnants of PLO et al leadership manage to curry favor with the EU, what’s in it for them? I seriously doubt that they could have credible political power at this late stage.

David C. Siedlar
Netanya, Israel

They have always seen it.

The anti-Israel positions have been held by three groups (and their many supporters among the illiterate population):

1. Arab and Syrian nationalists

That would be your Nasserists, your Iraqi Baath party, the PLO, the groups with ties to Germany in the 30s and 40s. Those groups are not happy with the status quo and have been trying to take power in Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, and Kuwait. They are opposed by the other two groups.

2. So-called “Islamic fundamentalists”

They are your “Muslim” Brotherhood, your Hamas, your Al-Qaeda, and the Saudi family. They oppose Arab nationalism and any non-”Islamic” entity, including Jews and Christians.

3. Khomeinists and their allies

They are the Iranian regime, Hizbullah, and the Syrian Baathists. They have ideological differences with the second group and practical differences with the first.

The interesting aspect is that the first group is dying and their supporters are merging with the second and third groups while their leaders are trying to become part of the US/Israel/EU side.

This is how the Syrian Baathists ended up on Iran’s side (they were an early split-off of Arab nationalism), and this is how Egypt’s government has changed since Sadat, and this is why Abbas is “moderate”. Saddam Hussein was the last truly powerful representative of that particular tribe.

The first are secular, the other two are heretical Muslim groups. Number 1 and 3 practice idolatry, whether it is Saddam Hussein and Arafat they idolise or Khomeini doesn’t matter. Group number 2 are not following anyone in particular.

D.S.

Netanya, Israel

They don’t, as you say. But I guess the point is that they also don’t want to get a connection, if you know what I mean.

Kuwait and the other Gulf states share at least one interest with Israel and the US: continued independence of the Arab Gulf states from Iran (and formerly Iraq).

The Gulf states’ rulers have no interest in being Israel’s enemies. Their problem is the propaganda that radicalises their people and makes them support notions like Arab nationalism and heretical “Islamic” fundamentalism which are both ideologies that have no room for hereditary emirs.

(The same is not true for Saudi Arabia since their rule is based on heretical fundamentalism.)

Kuwait especially had a wake-up call in 1990 and they have been trying to change sides without losing to nationalists or heretics since.

Attacking the Baath and the PLO has become easier lately, but attacking Hamas and anything Iran-backed is the safer way.

Or maybe this guy is like our Noam Chomsky.