World
Harvard Professor: By 2021 We Could See a ‘Restored Caliphate’ Across Middle East
- Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:13am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
Remember all that talk about Glenn Beck being crazy for discussing the possibility of an Islamic caliphate in the Mideast? Well, add one more to the loony list: Harvard professor Niall Ferguson.
During a discussion with the London Telegraph, Ferguson talked about what the world might look like in 10 years in the year 2021. After talking about China and euro, he turned his attention to the Mideast. And that’s when he went nuts, saying a “restored caliphate” is a possibility.
The discussion on the Mideast starts around 1:30:
(via Business Insider)
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 693 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 498 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 352 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 332 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 318 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 318 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 332 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 243 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 318 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (150)
chubster
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:33pmI bet Glenn just hates being ahead of the curve all the time.
Report Post »GoodnCool
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:29pmBy January 2012 the Bamessiah could be standing in the wings – supported by the Mulsem Brotherhood and Louis Farikan to lead the Caliphate. Just sayin
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:08pmRestoration of a caliphate has been a dream for nearly a century, a result of colonialism and the fall of the Ottoman Empire after WWI. It’s a religious/political idea seeking Pan-Islamism and nationalism. Gamel Nassar sought to bring it about (with him as the head, of course), and united with Syria. The idea didn’t go further in practice after Nassar died, but it is still alive. It’s preached by some heads of state over there and a number of religious leaders.
Then there is Ahmadinejad and religious leaders who want to bring about the advent of the Twelfth Imam; it’s their duty. Now, maybe the idea is crazy, but those people believe it and they are working in that direction. They may never succeed but they can cause a lot of trouble in the meantime.
Sharia law can be incorporated into the Western legal system. Parts of it are now part of British court decisions. It can happen here, too, with the right Justices on the bench. There is a notion among some judges that foreign laws should be considered when a case is before an American court. How far that might go I won’t try predicting, but SCOTUS has enough power to overturn almost any law and make the decision as far-reaching as possible (Roe v. Wade comes first to mind).
I haven’t decided if I believe a new caliphate will happen, but people over there are seriously talking about one. What I think doesn’t much matter, but what THEY think and do has all bearing. Time will tell either way; there are many possibilities.
Report Post »dmgs
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:36pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jbnn2qKJ3o&feature=related
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:53pm@dmgs
That video is pretty scary to consider.
But there are some saving graces, so to speak. Prime, which makes me have to wait on the notion of a caliphate being true, is how the Sunni and Shi’a pretty much hate each other since Mohammed died. Then there are are the Wahhabi who rule Saudi Arabia. They are considered extremist by the other two sects, and the Wahhabi practically declared war on the Sunni and Shi’a while they were rising as a group around 1925.
The extreme differences between those primary groups are why I wonder if a caliphate can happen. Then toss in the African Moslems, like in Libya. I know Ghaddafi once made a speech attacking Arab Moslems, saying the Arabs have too much influence in Africa. Ghaddafi spoke more of being an African than he made appeal to Islam.
The wild differences between the sects might be what keeps them from uniting and forming a caliphate. But, on the other hand, all they need is a ‘common enemy’. Israel isn’t enough, so something else will need to be tried.
God help us if they find it.
Report Post »BigPaulie
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:54amLock and load
Report Post »HonorNTruth
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:53am.01 percent took over Germany and look at what happened.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:53amOBAMA is MUSLIM
Report Post »fordfan
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:38pmDon’t think so, Patty. Listen to or read what he‘s said and see what he’s done. I think that he shows no ill toward Islam but that, while severely wrong enough, is, in my opinion, as far as it goes. Check into Black Liberation Theology and a black man by the name of James Cone. He spent 20 plus years with a pastor, J. Wright, that teaches this baloney to the hilt. It will also reveal some of his political policy. I admit, Beck brought this up and being an individual with a brain of my own, did some of my own research…..
Report Post »historypaper
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:49amMaybe there is a reason for a good war.
Report Post »wbedding
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:46amwhat cracks me up is that the Koran specifically says that there can be only one religion, and that is Islam. the left LOVES taking bits and pieces of what they like to hear and treating it as the stone-walled truth. look at Barry Obama. he’s their poster child. he’s full of twisted and distorted truths. that’s how he was elected. now, we have a paper puppet in the White House that will allow us to be over run, whether it is by Islamists, Chinese communists or Russian pseudo-democrats.
Report Post »Dagger82
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:44amI realize the focus of discussion is reestablishment of a Caliph and ten-year projection on Middle Eastern affairs (no mention of Israel), but most interesting is recognition of 2012′s importance as turning point for our United States. It’s the critical fork in the road where we choose socialist democracy or affirmation of a republic.
A leader must emerge who espouses ours and forefathers’ values to call upon the power of God to defeat forces of evil. Sufficient subordinates (generals, colonels, and non-coms) are currently fighting the battles, but we lack a leader to instill strategic vision for victory.
He or she is out there. At each level of responsibility (home, municipality, state, & congressional), prepare to shoulder the load that will ensure victory in 2012. God bless us, God bless the United States of America.
Report Post »messiah
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:37amI wonder what we pay all these professors so much for? All you so called educated skull and bones types have done nothing but destroy this world economically, morally and ecologically. You think this world or anything like it is going to be here in 2021? think again. this world is over. we‘ve repeated history enough and it’s time to reboot because the progress of mankind’s present capitalist program is stuck in the same old build and collapse loop. haven’t you had enough of seeing this same old sick cycle repeating? not a thing has changed in 10k years on how we live and die rise and fall as individuals or societies. lessons coming home to roost, professors
Report Post »Daarew
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:35amI agree with his assessment that the US is at a crossroads and the 2012 election is critical to the direction we take. BHO = welfare, nanny state similar to Europe. Republican hopefully = revitalization.
Report Post »exdem
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:35amDo you think one day the left will say, “we were wrong and Glenn Beck is a brave and brilliant man wrongly maligned by the media”? Or will they start reporting on the same things they called Glenn crazy for and take credit for themselves?? Hmmmm…… I wonder…..
Report Post »lukeshop
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:34amChristians unite.. The Holy Crusade is not dead.. This time, finish the effort completely.. Stock up your ammo supplies..
Report Post »hownowbrownmao
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:32amWhy does the Blaze peddle this B.S. ? Am I supposed to believe that of all the nonsensical future scenarios for the U.S., SHARIA or a Caliphate would rank as worthy of discussion? The moron that that gets worked up over this crapola truly deserves to be scared, my goodness don’t let imbeciles profit off the fear they generate. Beck is a high school educated moron with a microphone, you can walk into any bar in America on any day of the week, find the tweekiest tweeker inthe place, and get a better grasp of reality.
Report Post »Navymommy
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:10pmPay attention young one. They are already debating in a few states whether or not contractual breaches can be settled by Sharia law when it is included in said contract. That’s the beginning so BS it is not!
Report Post »hud
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:27amRemember, the muslims have been after a world wide caliphate since 622 ad. Just noticed the last four letters of caliphate says it all
Report Post »touch
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:26amGo ahead Americans, live like it is 1999 and see what your life looks like in 2021. Most Americans are FOOLS and will never see it coming.
Report Post »FrankSpeak
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:40amEnough of us are awake and we will right the ship. Mark my words!
Report Post »RugerHoyt
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:04pmThat sounds like a threat…a threat is not safe in these times. Ones loose lips in times like the present lead to loose heads in the future, watch yourself Touch
Report Post »abc
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:25amJonathan Seidl ought to work on his listening skills. Niall said “if” not “when.” He is not predicting a caliphate but noted that he puts a low probability of successful democratization of Egypt and others. And, in any case, Ferguson is not an expert on Middle Eastern countries. The Blaze gives itself away as a website of fools when it cites non-experts rather than specialists. Ferguson is an economic historian, not an expert on Middle Eastern politics or democratization. But when you are “crazy” I suppose you are willing to go anywhere to attempt to find approbation. Two words: confirmation bias.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:36amYes unlike the Left that brings in their specialist like Rosy, Penn,Whoopi, and all the one’s they listen to. In fact I don’t think there are any experts on the left are they?
Report Post »1chancey1
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:45amGetting paid to Troll this website spewing your same garbage opinions hardly makes you an expert either. And if you are not getting paid then you are one seriously pathetic little person with absolutely no life.
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:48amNow here we have a real troll (ABC). All your classes start late this morning ABC?
Report Post »Edgar Bennet
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:07pmLol you’re even going appeal to authority to a professor from Harvard. Ya ur right – dude prbly isn’t a well rounded intellectual … meanwhile Al Gore is the face of your scientific ‘movement’
Report Post »abc
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:16pmJust because one has a different view doesn’t necessarily make one a troll. You people assume too much, so you know what that makes you…
Oh, and just because you are a Harvard Professor doesn’t make you an expert in areas outside of your field. Only a fool would think otherwise. It is a fallacy to appeal to authority when the expert in question is actually NOT an authority. And, in any case, he was discussing a Caliphate as a worst case scenario, not a scenario he sees as likely. There is a big difference between failed democratic states as a unified, threatening Caliphate. Beck‘s minions pretend his ideas have any coherence by trying to tie them to a professor who doesn’t agree with them. NIce try. THanks for playing…
Report Post »Mr Spock
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:16pm@ABC What you haven’t grasped is that most of the posts here are standard responses – no matter what the question. Please don’t try to introduce intelligent argument and ruin the site. Just watch the responses to this post and you’ll see what I mean. They all fall into one of 6 categories. Count them.
Report Post »abc
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:59pmSpock, I’m curious about your taxonomy. What are the six categories?
Report Post »Mr Spock
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 1:10pm@ABC OK, I’ll give you the first one free….look at Patty Henry’s post below. I won’t spoil the fun but you can make up a spreadsheet and work out the others for yourself. There are variations of course within each theme. You can then go back through any story and slot the comments under the right heading.
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 1:49pm@Mr Spock
Report Post »#2: arm yourself and get ready. See Lukeshop et al.
hologram5
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:06pmHey moron, the only expert on Islam is one whom practices said religion. We cannot predict what is going to happen due to the fact of human unpredictability. These radicals will not rest until the west is iradicated. If you can‘t see that with all the zealots calling for Sha’ria law here then you truly are blind and lost.
Report Post »Herman_Cain
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:25amThat is the only thing that will appease the protesters.
Report Post »Kimberli
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:23amWe are playing checkers…our enemies are playing chess.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:31am@kimberli
That is a good analogy,,,,,,, Since the “WEAK” one has been in office that is exactly what we have been doing, playing checkers. If we don’t get this fool out soon the USA will be unable to be repaired. I cannot believe with Arab countries fighting for their lives in many different countries and Japan in total collapse our “FOOL IN CHIEF” goes to play golf. He displays such a show of strength, doesn’t he. Embarassing
Report Post »willbedone
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:34amYea, and we are not doing a very good job of checkers.
Report Post »justanamerican
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:37amExcellent point Kimberli!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Led by the idiot with the big ears and the propeller on his head.
chickenlittle
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:42amThat IS a very good analogy! We should be able to save some money on Obama’s memorial “library” when he’s gone, and just build him a golf course… maybe a miniature golf course? Just make sure it’s union-built… don’t want that windmill to get stuck.
Report Post »hightide
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:22amWhen Glenn said that they called him crazy. Wake up America. You are under attack by thugs, communists and Muslim Jihad… Stand up or be conquered…
Report Post »Hoosier Daddy
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:35amI fear for the number of Americans who would rather live on their knees than die on their feet. I will wash my hands of them and forget they were ever my countrymen.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:53amOF COURSE!!! WE do NOT have to tolerate this. #1 NO SHARIA LAW in the USA period #2 education: THIS IS NOT A RELIGION…it’s a cult. RELIGION means “FAITH” ..”FAITH’ is not forced; besides no people who claim to follow GOD (the GOD) would condone the murder of God’s Chosen People.
STOP ISLAM and their Mosques… they are nothing more than terrorist training centers, tax free, under our noses. Once those bastards have conned people to ‘join’…they don’t let them go…they threaten death, and they carry it out. People are attracted to Islam thinking it’s a pure faith, taches love….FOLKS, the only LOVE it teaches is from pages torn from our Bible… This is counterfeit in action. There is nothing decent, loving, peaceful at all about ISLAM…they are out to control the world and all of us in it. 2020 is not the time to try to stop them..NOW is the time. SUPPORT Cong. King’s Hearings, let your voices be known in your local areas. GET “THEY MUST BE STOPPED” by Brigette Gabriel from Amazon (about 9$) read and share…it’s loaded with all the proof you need. STOP this cult !!! IF we are in the ‘end times” then GOD stops them but don’t ever give in to them or you lose GOD. We simply must understand and believe that GOD has taught us…otherwise our lives are for naught.
Report Post »ILUVAMERICA
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:22amOver my DEAD BODY!
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:26amI think that is what they have in mind.. Keep your head about you
Report Post »greggor
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:31amYou must mean “over their dead bodies”.. at least, that‘s how I’m thinking!
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:22amWhat makes him think they will wait until 2021?? I think their timeline is much shorter.
Report Post »ONETERM
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:32amthey are patient. much, much more patient than we are.
Report Post »Navymommy
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:44amI absolutely agree, particularly for the UK. The EU will reap what was sown back in the 60‘s and 70’s with their immigration policies and their present day socialized government with it’s ooman rights, ‘elf and safety. He also basically said that if we continue on the Democrats agenda we will sink into an abysmal welfare state, whereas if we follow the lead of Reagan and the Repubs, the country will be revitalised. That makes us far stronger to defeat our enemies of the Republic within and without. I would like to see the women of the Middle East and Asian countries rise up against these ignorant bullies who try to determine their fate.
Report Post »G.W. Dobbs
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:24pmIslam is making its move NOW. The HOPE and CHANGE of Obama is ISLAM, his Muslim Religion. If Obama gets re-elected, all stops are OFF.
Report Post »FloridaTeaPartyMember
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:22amCaliphate? Caliphate? We dont need no stinking caliphate!
Report Post »drbage
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:19amWhat is really spooky is that more and more people on the left are agreeing with the “nut-job, conspiracy-theorists insane” people on the right! Sure hope that Prof. Ferguson has tenure or perhaps this is the new “center” left trying to be “fair and balanced.”
Report Post »JD Carp
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:40amAn academic from Harvard says ‘caliphate’ and he’s believable. Beck says the same word and the left jumps in his shorts. Glenn needs to write his own book a-la Limbaugh, “I told you So!’
Report Post »mill
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:54amJD CARP!!
totally agree, beck needs To write a booK
“I TOLD YOU SO”.. “I TOLD YOU SO’,..“I TOLD YOU SO”
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:15amIf a Hawvard guy says it, it must be true!
Report Post »Mannax
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:22amThe troll is weak in this one. You should try to not make your name something that screams I am a Troll, don’t pay attention to me.
Report Post »wildjoker5
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:26amThe lefts’ argument will be that even though Glenn was saying Caliphate, he had no real proof. But since the “intellectuals” (the left) have studied it, now a Caliphate is much more plausible.
Report Post »Mhockey1505
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:30amI think their communist love for China blurs their vision a little bit… Once these Islamofacists take over Western (socialist) Democracy and whatever the United States has become, China will steam-roll these bastards w/ no UN to say “boo”
Report Post »tinydd
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:32amWas this another video sting operation?
Or has the left always states, the video was edited or doctored.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:34amObama respects Muslim Brotherhood because they’re well organized.
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:35am@ MANNAX… a little slow on the sarcasm are we? I think you jumped the gun on this one… ever seen my posts before? I don’t think I remotely resemble a troll here.
Report Post »quiet little lamb
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:41amThat guys crazy! Next people will be saying Jesus is gonna come back in the sky or sumpin….
All Misspellings and improper punctuation are for Citizens Radio. And Citizens Radio only?
Report Post »tompaineknowsthescore
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:42amNiall Ferguson is, bias, an econonmist and a very whiggish, if the mid-east does form a bigger nation-state it wont be a caliphate but a federal state democratic system. The tide is turning against islamists in Iran and across the region. the youth fuelling the revolutions are very secular and are big consumers of western cultural goods. Islamist were sidelined in these recent movements and are stuggling to keep up
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:50amWhat happens in the Middle-East stays in the Middle-East.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:56amtompaineknowsthescore:
And, do you still believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy???
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:57am@Povertysucks….you posted
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:50am
What happens in the Middle-East stays in the Middle-East.
If only that were true
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 11:59amThe different Muslim sects hate each other in the Mideast countries. It would take a very strong radical Islamic leader to unite them all under one Caliphate. Wonder if there is someone standing in the wings waiting to do just that?
Report Post »tompaineknowsthescore
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:03pm@Hauschild nah i just read up on matters
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:08pm^__^__^
There is no proof it will turn out “ok” although one would argue and say look at Saudis, Kuwait etc. Remember we are talking about radical islam taking hold in the middle east. The one example we have of a true radical regime which is where the caliphate is headed is Iran. I think we all can agree Irans leadership could be considered as a bunch of loons aka the Twelvers. Lets also not forget Irans sponsorship of terrorism across the region and threat after threat against Israel and the evil west USA.
With nation after nation falling into an uprising it is the radicals dream. This is their opportunity to make promises of stability etc while reigning in their dangerous beliefs and controlling a region. Look at Libya there isnt even any talk about what the rebels are seeking after Qadaffi is ousted. Who will be there when the dust settles, those seeking true democratic republic similar t the US or those promising peace and democracy like that in Iran??
Report Post »jerry1945
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:09pm@restorehope, obama is waiting………….
Report Post »tompaineknowsthescore
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:36pmHauschild try
http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2011/02/egypt-arab-tunisia-islamic
and
http://www.newstatesman.com/middle-east/2011/02/israel-iran-movement-arab
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:37pmI don’t think it will take 20 more years from the religion of peace.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 12:40pmWow .. way to “catch up” Harvard. … elitists play catch up.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 1:04pmThis guy is losing it !!! Did any body see he is almost crazy. I am tired of this guys fear mongering and racist conspiracy connections! He really is sinking the conservative movement. I think his viewership has decreased too. He is just a nut. When will you people start thinking for yourself and quit believing everything this guy says?
I just figured I would help provide consistency here since we won’t see the usual Beck bashers comment to much on this story. I wouldn’t want the rest of my conservative pals to feel unchallenged in anyway.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 1:10pm@ THOMASPAINEKNOWSTHESCORE…………………….You are one scary dude is all I can say…..Read a couple of articles and now you are more in the know than a Harvard prof. that has made it his life’s work to study these things. Hey, I know, forward your 2 little resources to him so he can be as insightful as you are the next time he is asked to do an interview with a large media outlet. Then when you are asked about your expert opinion by the media you will be in agreement. People never cease to amaze me at their arrogance of how much they think they know.
He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool – shun him. This is the only part of the full quote you need.
Report Post »tompaineknowsthescore
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 1:28pm@watch
Don’t mean to be arrogant, its just Ferguson is an economic historian making off the cuff predictions to a reporter for his new tv show, he isn’t definite on whether or not a caliphate will emerge. My links were to Oliver Roy articles who is respected in mid east studies.
Report Post »ManThong
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 1:51pmIt almost sounded like reasonable conjectures were coming from a Harvard professor for a moment there.
I’d better stop with the boilermakers so early in the day.
Report Post »Tertius G Himmelreich
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:00pm@tompaineknowsthescore: Did you also read up on the lack of concern by those secular kids, & even friendliness toward Al Qaeda? That “democratic” movements have happened in the past, & that Al Qaeda took over, killed, & oppressed their secular “allies”? Those kids that are pushing for a secular, democratic government, are also working in tandem, or even hand in hand, with Al Qaeda. Mix that with the “president” (or whatever is title is) of Afghanistan saying he wants to bring the Taliban back in to his country, to work with them. “The enemy of your enemy is your friend” as it is said. The problem is when your “friend” is more motivated, & more highly armed than you.
Report Post »tompaineknowsthescore
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:12pm@tertius
i dont think al-qaeda have ever ran a country, and as for Karzai he’s hardly a bastion of democracy himself
the fact that these youth dont openly criticise or denounce al-qaeda is because of the lack of influence, when one libyan rebel was asked about al-qaeda’s involvment he just laughed. these people want freedom and justice they may get it they may not. i personally think that the influence of radical islam on these new movements especially the green movement in Iran is very overstated
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:13pmTomPaine is right on this one WatchtheOtherHand. You may not be too familiar with Ferguson’s work, but the macropolitics of the Middle East is far outside of his specialty. It is also rather silly to take his brief and vague use of the word “caliphate” here (framed completely as speculation) to be an endorsement of Beck’s nuttiness.
Report Post »tompaineknowsthescore
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:32pm@Tertius
i see what your saying, there is always a risk of extremists hijacking revolution. these new movements based on mass mostly peaceful demonstrations are not really al-qaeda’s style, they are more heavily involved with the guerrilla wars in Yemen, Somailia and Afghanistan. I think the arab spring caught the Islamists off guard to some extent
Report Post »Ken
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 2:34pmBoth the Haavaad guy and the interviewer, are trolls! They need to go on Conan and have a coming out party!
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:12pmA united Caliphate would still have 0 aircraft carriers to our 11–it’s not a relevant geopolitical event, even if likely, especially compared to the industrialization of China.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 3:44pmi do not believe there will be a 2021, this world is to wicked and it’s soon to come to a close
Report Post »gman46
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:35pmI say read “The Next 100 years” by George Friedman, if you want to predict what is going to be likefor the next 20, 30, 50, 100 years
Report Post »Geokrak
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 4:45pmThe Muslim Brotherhood is organized, is international, is working off a long range plan to establish Shar’ia law world wide and with that the Caliphate. They have publicized this and are quite open about their goals. They don’t play video combat games they live them.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 7:42pm@ PPMAN………….actually I think I was right on……. this guy simply said it could possibly form (caliphate) just as he said there was a chance that democracy could form. I was just pointing out that he did not say it for sure would happen. He actually made that it wasn’t “a given” quiet clear. My point is that people who know more than we do on this topic say it is possible, may or may not happen. We cannot simply remove the possibility from the table and call it crazy talk. It isn’t crazy to suggest it is a possibility. My other point is that everyone has a bias. No one can completely filter out their bias in an evaluation of this topic. Bottom line is that my opinion is there are so many variables and unknown influences that we cannot accurately predict this or that. I am automatically suspicious of anyone, expert or otherwise, that claims they know what is going to happen or even if they are pretty sure this or that will be the outcome. However, we need to be prepared for as many instances as we can be because the problem isn’t going to go away. Also, think on what the New Statesman said “The uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia show that Islam is now less potent politically, even as its social dominance grows “. If this trend continues do you honestly think that Islam will remain politically impotent?. THOMAS and PPMAN…..I will apologize for my sarcasm in my last post that wasn’t very kind of me. You guys just have a different view than me and I probably wouldn’t have appreciated that post if it were toward me. THOMAS this is from your second site. And was my point from the beginning. “This prompts one to ask: where will it end and what will the geostrategic consequences be? It would be presumptuous to claim to have perfect answers now, but we can, nevertheless, begin to explore such questions.” We have got to be real and part of that discussion is that the wind can change direction quickly for many reasons that aren’t even known currently. This has to include the talk of religious fundamentalists gaining control in even some countries. It may not happen and I hope not but it is possible we cannot just yell crazy crazy at this possibilities (if we continue to do so it could be to our own detriment.) Oliver Roy the french writer of your first article is heavily biased in the liberal direction btw.
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on March 15, 2011 at 10:39amProphetic Tipping Point: The condition of the world relating to Israel
Whether you believe in a “spiritual” Israel or that Israel is certainly a physical place that is home to the Jewish people, you cannot deny that those who are pressuring Israel to give up its traditional Biblical lands to Arabs led by former and current Islamic terrorists are suffering tremendous political upheaval, natural disasters and financial catastrophes. These calamities are visible all around the world right now, bringing to mind the Zechariah 12:3 prophecy by the Lord: “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
The Middle East is on fire. A Palestinian terrorist brutally murdered an entire Israeli family. The once stable kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing unrest. Saudi and United Arab Emirate troops have been sent to the tiny country of Bahrain to quell protests there. Of course, there is Egypt and any number of other Arab/Islamic countries facing civil unrest that could lead to war. Libya is fully engaged in a civil war. In most all these cases, the popular cry from the people is freedom, but in reality, they are trading one type of tyranny for another. The Muslim Brotherhood, which was in Iran recently meeting with the Ayatollah there, waits in the wings to establish an Islamic Sharia government in most of these places.
Western nations face financial collapse. The European Union has had to take aggressive measures to fend off the actual bankruptcy of Greece, and many of the Euro-nations are experiencing tremendous financial and weather-related challenges. The United States is running record deficits, record debt, experiencing political unrest, is at war with Islam, and is still reeling from many natural disasters. Russia faces economic and political strife as well as Islamic terrorism. China is also experiencing political unrest, a great social class disparity in wages, and inflation–signs of things to come. And Japan, woe is Japan that has been pummeled with an earthquake, a tsunami and thousands of deaths.
All these countries have at least one thing in common: They have publicly and privately pressured Israel to give up its land for peace. For many years nothing seemed to be apparent that would lead the “world” to believe that there were curses on those who came against Israel. Those who know the scriptures could see it, but it still remains veiled to the world. The turmoil throughout the world–kingdom against kingdom, wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilences and famines–has seemed to converge at a tipping point. Ahead we will either see the tide of events ebb as do birth pangs, or we will see them escalate. If they continue to escalate, first, be not troubled, but also know these are the true beginning of sorrows.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Report Post »Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
http://www.dailyjot.com
HellPhish89
Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:38pmNiall Ferguson is one of THE most intelligent people when it comes to history. he knows of what he speaks ;)
Report Post »