The long conventional war in Sri Lanka, pitting the Sinhalese-dominated government against the vicious rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been fighting for a separate homeland for the Tamil minority, is almost over.The Tamil Tigers often employ terrorism and even suicide bombers, and they are fighting for their own homeland. I don't know, but that sounds vaguely similar to someone else. Oh yeah, the Palestinians. Isn't it interesting that The Economist actually characterizes the Tamils as "vicious." What are the odds of seeing such a description of the Palestinians in any mainstream UK reporting outlet?
Here's the description of what's left of Kilinochchi, the Tamil capital:
buildings smashed by artillery fire; a vast LTTE cemetery; and a score of women, children and old men.I wonder how many civilian casualties were inflicted by the Sri Lankan Army? Where are all the articles condemning the "disproportionate" attack on the outgunned Tamils? Where are the American and European leftists who are screaming about Israel's evil onslaught against the peace-loving, rocket-firing residents of Gaza? Why aren't all the Muslim countries -- so hypersensitive every time Israel accidentally kills a Palestinian civilian -- up in arms about Sri Lanka?
I know the Sri Lankan conflict is obscure in the West, so I thought I'd visit a couple of Asian news outlets. Surely the latest news from Sri Lanka would be front page material there. I went to The Jakarta Post. Surprise, no front page story on Sri Lanka. But there was one called "Indonesia told to seek coalition against Israel." How about Malaysia? I went to The Star Online and was shocked to see that their headline was, "Malaysia wants UN special assembly on Palestine." Wow, nothing about Sri Lanka, and more concern for the poor oppressed Palestinians. Why are Indonesia and Malaysia so worried about the Palestinians, and so oblivous to the plight of the Tamils? I wonder.
What's missing from the Sri Lankan conflict? Why doesn't anyone care about the Tamils and their civilian casualties? What about their desire for a homeland? Why are even Asian countries obsessed with Israel & Gaza, even though there is a far deadlier conflict going on in Sri Lanka?
It's actually very simple. The Sri Lankans are not Jews, and Sri Lanka is not an ally of the United States. If Sri Lanka were a vital U.S. ally, and the U.S. backed its military campaign against the Tamils, there would be a worldwide outcry, and the plight of the Tamils would instantly become an important cause to be championed by leftists everywhere, including here in the U.S. And if the Sinhalese were Jews, and Sri Lanka were a Jewish state? Every Muslim country in the world, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, would suddenly become vigorous defenders of the poor Tamils.
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ReplyDeleteI found your post confusing, which is why I deleted an earlier response.
ReplyDeleteIs it or is it not a "good thing" that neocons are seen to (and I think do) identify U.S. interests with those of the State of Israel, supposedly because the latter is a democracy that should be supported in a "hostile and dangerous part of the world?" What is your complaint with American "leftists" vis-a-vis the State of Israel? Too "pro-Muslim"? Too pro-Israel? It's hard for me to see what your point is (no snark intended).
I don't really have a dog in endless Muslim/Israeli fight. I don't think we can allow rogue state like Iran to acquire nuclear weapons with which it could attack Israel and pose countless other dangers in the region, but I also don't think vital US interests are implicated in the Hezbollah and and Hamas conflicts with Israel. It's their battle, not ours.
"I found your post confusing, which is why I deleted an earlier response."
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing is a sarcastic observation regarding most of those who support the Palestinians and cite humanitarian reasons, when often the real reasons are anti-Americanism and/or anti-Semitism.
"Is it or is it not a "good thing" that neocons are seen to (and I think do) identify U.S. interests with those of the State of Israel, supposedly because the latter is a democracy that should be supported in a "hostile and dangerous part of the world?""
U.S. interest and Israeli interests do not always coincide exactly. But Israel is a U.S. ally and has been for a long time. And it's our only reliable ally in the Middle East.
"What is your complaint with American "leftists" vis-a-vis the State of Israel? Too "pro-Muslim"? Too pro-Israel?"
How about too anti-American, too anti-Semitic, or too illogical? Whichever one(s) apply.
"but I also don't think vital US interests are implicated in the Hezbollah and and Hamas conflicts with Israel. It's their battle, not ours."
Vital interests? Maybe not. But Hamas and Hezbollah are enemies of the U.S. also. The Palestinians as a whole are largely hostile to the U.S. and always will be, unless we abandon Israel. It is definitely not in our interest to protect our enemies from justifiable Israeli retaliation.
I don't know about the Economist, but everywhere else, including the South Asian Studies class I took in college, people referred to the LTTE/Sri Lanka war as a civil war, and made sure to mention abuses on both sides, as well as the grievances that led to the conflict.
ReplyDeleteThe reason people aren't that concerned about the conflict, outside Sri Lanka and the Tamil areas of India, is that it isn't that important. It has killed 70,000 people in 25 years; compare that to the Congo War's 3 million in 5 years and you'll see how small the scale is. It has little effect on world politics, since neither side is backed by a major power. In addition, both sides have legitimate grievances, so a neutral observer will have no idea how to report the conflict.
This, more or less, is also true about the I/P conflict, apart from the fact that Israel is a major US ally and the existence of West/Islam overtones. And indeed, East Asian papers devote relatively little space to the issue. It's the Western and Muslim areas that are hypersensitive to the issue.