Status check-- the Middle East

[KevinTheOmnivore]

Iraq has held their elections, Syria may finally be withdrawing her troops from Lebanon, and Israel and Palestine seem to be playing nice (at least for now).

I think we can all at least agree that the three above mentioned things are at least potentially good, right? I realize Iraq has regional issues that they need to resolve, and then there's of course those darn insurgents, but progress can take time.

Is it a domino effect? Granted, the assassination of Hariri was the catalyst for this anti-Syrian surge in Lebanon, but would the outburts have been as vocal and as determined had we not invaded Iraq? Would Syria be capitulating if President Bush weren't throwing his weight behind it?

A lot of people seem to be writing about whether or not the Neo-cons were, dare I say it.......right? Have the prospective ends justified the means? Internationalism, multi-lateralism, international law, etc. etc., they've all taken a hit in light of our recent heavy-handed presence in the Middle East.

Good or bad?