Iraq is number two, who will follow? [Archives:2002/34/Viewpoint]

Signs of an eminent war against Iraq are quite visible. The US administration is clearly insistent on going forward to remove Saddam Hussein from power, and they seem to be determined to do so before the upcoming elections in the states.
Arab leaders have unanimously agreed on opposing the US plans concerning Iraq, yet they have not even thought of releasing a statement about their next step if Iraq is attacked. They released no threat, no pledge, and expressed no obligation coming from towards the Iraqi people or leadership or even to their own citizens at large.
Unfortunately, those leaders are quite aware that if they threaten the USA at this particular time, they could be possible targets as well. They know this is no joke, and they seem to be sure that it is impossible to challenge the USA in any battle anyplace and anytime. In other words, no one dares to nominate himself for the number 3 target position of the USA.
Arabs have attained a level of weakness that made them absolutely vulnerable to any attack, and with an international community that is mostly a spectator, any unjust attempt to overthrow any Arab leader from his post will still be justified for the sake of the war against terror.
Time has proven that no friend or ally of the USA can stay so all the time. Saddam Hussein himself was one of the most trusted allies and partners of the USA prior to 1990, but things turned upside down after words. Our leaders should understand that their positions as allies right now may not continue forever, especially as no matter how close they were to the USA, they cannot be closer to Israel.
Last week, Egypt came under pressure by the USA for its stance concerning an Egyptian courts ruling concerning Saadeddin Ibrahim, an Egyptian human rights activist with US nationality. On the other hand, three prominent Saudi princes are requested for trial by the families of the September 11 victims, raising the question of possible weakening of US-Saudi relations.
These are a set of examples validating the clam that our relations with the USA are truly vulnerable. Apart from the fear of leaders who may be afraid of losing their chairs, one can also imagine the public outrage that will result if the USA goes ahead with its plan to attack Iraq. This could be a beginning of a long-term plan to remove all Arab leaders who may constitute a threat to the USA, and perhaps a starting point to restructure the whole Middle East to conform to US interests.
Last week, while browsing the Internet, I read a column by a writer saying that the attack against Iraq is actually a breakthrough for the control of the whole region by the USA. He described the attack against Iraq as the strike of the first dominoes piece resulting in a subsequent fall of all the rest. According to the writer, the USAs interests in the region are so many, and a pro-US Iraq would serve as an excellent starting point to seize the sources of the area. A starting point here is mentioned, but the where will the dominoes stop? will be quite a tough question to answer.
Hasnt time come for Arabs to think more realistically and sense the coming danger?
We may not have to wait long before we see target number 2 attacked then each and every Arab leader will probably be praying day and night to be the third target.
The dominoes are falling and it is time for number two to fall. Will number three wake up on time and divert the danger?
I doubt!

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