Our New Improved Middle East
 

As near as I can figure it, we have right now the conditions the neo-cons wanted for the middle east. States have failed and are in turmoil. So now we wait for liberal democracy to sweep across the area respecting minority rights, building modern societies... maybe if we just topple Iran everything will be perfect?

Meanwhile we'll wish them a Happy Easter.

So version 2.0 of crony capitalism isn't working out for the beneficiaries of version 1.0? Who would've expected that?

I joined Cellar when I was 25. 9/11 happened later that year. I will be 40 in October.

Apparently God only lives in Jerusalem and we have to really fight over that piece of rock. Also, Shiites and Sunnis each have the corner on Islam and the leadership of the Umma if they can just kill off enough of the other heretics. Also, the US, back in 1947 told Israel and Pakistan that we are with you no matter what....apparently we are not allowed to re-evaluate that position. Also, I stubbed my toe this morning and all problems are local. My stream of consciousness at 0100 in the AM seems to be a bit loose.

We must always remember Israel is an ally not a friend.

Yemen has been in the news lately, what with the US getting the hell out of Dodge as it falls apart.

When I picture Yemen, I picture sand. Lots and lots of sand. I think an episode of the Amazing Race was shot there, and they had to learn how to drive SUVs at high speed through the sand dunes.

Anyway, Yemen isn't just sand.

This is Yemen. If we're going to be hearing about it in the news shouldn't we at least look at a few pictures of it so it's real to us?

It's also lush and green.
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Google Images also puts that 2nd pic clear over in Nepal.
But then who knows what the internet portends.

All the khats lined up in rows :D

Interesting. I got that image from Panoramio in Google Earth. They are usually pretty good. It's located here. 13°51'59.37"N, 44° 3'3.16"E

But I agree that the image doesn't match the satellite view perfectly.

This is more typical of that valley:
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I had no idea that there was decent land in Yemen. Wiki describes its recent government as a kleptocracy so maybe we can be forgiven for not touring the area.

Yemen, 25 million people but not very much food.

From Wikipedia, I'll have to check the numbers:

In Yemen, income from oil production constitutes 70 to 75 percent of government revenue and about 90 percent of exports.

I'll bet the the guys working the fields are like our guys working the fields only from Malaysia.