I’m looking at the text and the newspapers. We are facing the beginning of yet another adventure into interfering with nation states in Araby. I was somewhat for removing Hussein — the man clearly had gassed swamp arabs (Weapons of mass destruction? Chlorine and mustard gas work quite nicely. But the neoconservative experiment — noble though it was — failed. Iraq remains a mess, and Afghanistan remains a mess.
The idealists in the US state department did not understand that Arabia works on the rules of a decaying empire, and the heavy-handed approach that compulsory democracy and Wilsonian nationalism brings does not fit with a society that remains quite imperial, and quite tribal. They did not recall that Ataturk — for Turkey is their model of a modern Islamic state — drove out the Anatolian Greeks and massacred the Armenians to make his nation.
We are now looking at Syria. Again, the regime are a bunch of pigs. The opposition are a bunch of Wahabist fanatics. The middle class have learned their lesson. They will not (again) form an opposition. Instead they will cross the border into Jordan and find another place to make a living. There is no strategic goal for the West — who are now fairly energy independent because they are fracking coal shale — so Britain and the EU are staying out of any military action in Syria, and the US is now begging favours from France
I don’t think history repeats itself, but stupidity follows patters. This is shown in today’s readings, with the rejection by the Jewish authorities of Jesus, at the time of his Crucifixion and when Paul arrived at Rome.
17Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor — even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21They replied, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. 24Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. 25So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,
26 ‘Go to this people and say,
You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn —
and I would heal them.’
28Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”30He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, 31proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
43Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” 50All of them deserted him and fled.
51A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
I’ve written on the situation in the Arabian parts of the Middle East before. We have some duties, to pray, to rescue our fellow believers from the mire, and to let our single men bear witness and preach — for the roll of martyrs is increasing as the Arab Brotherhood rages.
The local military facts are that NZ has one fairly large infantry regiment that has been deployed to East Timor and Afghanistan, a small special forces unit that is generally deployed somewhere the PM is vaguely aware of, and very small air force without strike planes (thank you very much, last Labour government, who spent billions on welfare and nothing on defense) and some fairly modern frigates. There are only four million Kiwis — there are about as many people in the US military as in our biggest city (1.4 million).
So the US, who has about forty percent of the world’s military services, could go into Syria alone. Barely: they are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But there is a risk, and it comes from a series of comments that (since they are from Christian service men, will not be linked to) that the US military and security services see Christian piety as a security threat and against discipline. Which brings me back to the text.
If you reject God, he will move on.
The contrast here is that NZ — which is a lot less overtly Christian — has chaplains in the military and they continue to — within good discipline — give out bibles (Waterproof Bibles at that) with the support of the churches. (I like the Chaplain’s reply to the reporter who asked about Korans and other faiths — let them provide them. The churches got theirs approved by the ministry of defense, and fund this). As a society, I feel NZ risks losing (if we have not already) the light of God. But the current administration of the US is foolishly doubling down and shunning faith for political ends, just as it is foolishly entering another war zone.
Let is pray that wiser heads prevail, for all omnipotent fantasies end. And the bigger the over reach, the bigger the disaster when reality provides payback.