A blog without a map, what more could a friend provide for you today...lol. Almost every week I get a note from one of you, making a comment about the blog. These comments are usually funny or are informative about what you-all enjoy(dating exploits/failures..lol - Danny) or don't enjoy (length - Rodz), or how something I write about brings back a memory of your own (Lee's love of Deviled Egg's) or all the maps, history, and politics (Dan S.) that are a little dry for you. So, I will bore you with history only for a brief moment today (see, I pay attention to you guys), and being a proud holder of a BA in History and Political Science from the newly renamed King University (It was King College for over 100 years, now becoming King University - doesn't fit fo me...now this is truly a boring topic for 95% of you...lol) I wanted to mention about the similarities that I see between Iran and Egypt.
In 1941, the Shah of Iran took power from his father at the young age of 22 began ruling Iran. Early in his reign, the Shah (Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi) was a welcome change to the world and the people he ruled. His father (Reza Shah) was an ally of Germany and Adolph Hitler during the early stages of WWII, so Great Britain and Russia invaded Iran in 1941, and forced Reza to step down, but allowed his son to assume control. The Shah gradually increased his grip (banning opposition parties in 1949) and when Russia tried to reestablish control of Iran in the early 1960's, the Shah turned to the West (yes-America) and became an important ally against the Soviet Union during the "Cold War" of the 60's and 70's. He did modernize the country during this time, and actually encouraged many western friendly liberties (like woman's rights, and land reform). He was a King though, and many felt that Iran did not share the country's wealth with the people of Iran. In 1979, their was an Islamic fundamentalist uprising and the USA (under Democratic liberal Jimmy Carter) decided that more important than supporting our staunch ally in a volatile region, was to allow the people of Iran to choose their own destiny. What followed, was the fall of the Shah (ironically he fled to Egypt where he died in 1980) and the coming to power of the Ayatollah. The students stormed our American Embassy and we didn't end the conflict until the day Ronald Reagan took office (444 days later) in 1981. The country of Iran has become in time, one of the most feared regimes of the region, brutally controlling the freedom of their people and bitterly oppose America and our Ally's at every opportunity. Many feel, that if Iran were to secure nuclear weapons that WWIII could be triggered.
In 1981, another of our (America's) other strong Allys lost their leader to assassination. Anwar Sadat, the third President of Egypt, was Western friendly and had helped establish peace with Israel. He was killed by Islamists that were primarily upset with the peace treaty he had forged with Israel. His Vice President (Muhammad Hosni El Sayed Mubarak) succeeded him. Mubarak and the Egyptian military stayed in a close alliance with America and had good relations with Israel. He was not popular with his people, and had to maintain strict control. In 2011, Islamists took to the streets rioting and demanding the ouster of Mubarak. The USA (under Democratic liberal Barack Obama) decided not to support our close ally and let the people and Islamist of Egypt overthrow America's loyal friend Mubarak. In the last two years, the country has watched the anti Western Muslin Brotherhood, under the leadership of President Morsi take over. They have even sent agents into the UAE in an effort to destabilize the Pro West Government here.(they were arrested in late 2012 and have not been heard from since). The Egyption military has been purged of the western friendly Generals, and the Islamic State has now taken hold (there is still resistance, but it is slowly being stamped out by the Egyption Government.) The Obama administration allowed the gift of 200 American tanks and 20 F14 aircraft to be transferred to Egypt as we speak. We have gained a new adversary in the region and we are now giving them weapons to wage future wars with the west (and Israel). Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.... Ok, class is over for today....
Well, these incoherent ramblings from me are nearing an end. At the end of February, I decided that this cranky old American should move home. I gave my legally required 30 day notice to the very kind CEO (JR) of Barakat. I decided to turn my planned vacation ticket back to America, into a one way trip. It has been an interesting week as I have begun my farewell tour with friends and colleagues.
This has been a short blog (smile Rodz, it's not too long) - Next Friday, I will share the goodbyes and the difficulties of leaving. God Bless you, and thank you for your time....
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