While taking a break from studying for a geology exam today, the topic of the Middle East was brought up and many opinions were expressed. A lebanese friend, born and raised therein, of mine said that the leader of Egypt and the leaders of other Middle Eastern countries were "guarded" by the CIA. I.E. their "bodyguards" were current CIA agents. He also said that all the oil in the Middle East was being extracted by American companies and basically all Middle Eastern Oil is controlled by America and her corporations. The conversation progressed and he then went on to say that all the US Military Bases in the Middle East are kept there by force against the will of the host countries; and that the US was "enslaving" the people of the Middle East.

I am very skeptical that any of this is true, but having no knowledge or experience in those areas I said nothing. I am going to do some Internet research to probe the veracity of these statements, but I am impatient and probably wont spend too much time on this. Thus I bring this topic to the PDD and open it for dicussion.

I would hope that this dicussion doesnt deteriorate into propaganda spewing that many dicussions in the PDD inevitably spiral down into. I would like to hear peoples ideas on these topics and what evidence they have found or can bring to support their opinions.

=)

Short Version:

1) Leaders of Middle Eastern countries controlled/"guarded" by the CIA
2) America or her corporations extract and/or control all/most of the oil that flows out of the Middle East
3) America forces Middle Eastern Countries to allow US military bases within themselves.
4) America is enslaving the people of the Middle East.

well, he's lebanese after all, don't give too much credit to his words

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Oh right, so on the basis of race and nothing else I should just disregard anything I do not agree with. What a great way of thinking!

you can't be racist when talking shit about Lebanese, they're an exception.

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your lebanese friend sounds like a terrorist in the making

Forget Lebanon...

Hamas "won" the election in Palastine. Chew on that.



I don't know enough about how deep the US's fingers are in their holes over there. I mean, here's what I'd imagine.

It's a cross between your Lebanese friends 100% america controls everything and the american who denys any shady dealings with arab countries what-so-ever.

It's a big gray area :P in my opinion. But I don't know enough about it to say either way.

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quote:

Originally posted by InterMilan31 your lebanese friend sounds like a terrorist in the making

ALL lebanese are terrorists, don't you know that

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Well after a little Googling I have found no evidence whatsoever to support in any way the first claim. In fact I never even found a reference to anything like the sort. However I did "learn" a few things and have become even more conivinced that this whole Middle East thing is a hell of alot more complicated than I realized and is sure going to get alot worse before it gets any better.

I did find something interesting in regards to the first statement though. One Website I read: http://www.danielpipes.org/article/214 mentioned something. He claimed that Iranians or many in the Middle East see conspiracy theories everywhere.

quote:

From article by Daniel Pipes While American officials are nearly blind to conspiracy theories - the belief that complex plots are planned out by shadowy but omnipotent forces - Middle Easterners discern them in the merest accidents.

That coupled with the fact that the US oftens meddles in other's business and has "installed" many governments and leaders in the Middle East in the past and present might partially explain how my friends first belief came about : Seeing the US install leaders and nose around in the government, it would be easy to assume that those installed leaders are mere puppets and guarded/controlled by the US.

your lebanese friend is a terrorist, report him to the local authorities before its too late

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Lebanese terrorist attacks Syria, Israel or US?

I dont know much about Lebanon and its history.

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quote:

Originally posted by Purple Lebanese terrorist attacks Syria, Israel or US? I dont know much about Lebanon and its history.

Yes they are a huge threat to our peace and freedom,therefor they must be invaded or destroyed immediately.

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quote:

Originally posted by malek ALL lebanese are terrorists, don't you know that

i thought those were saudis