What I'm saying is that Iran and Hizbullah oppose Saudi Arabia as much as anyone. They want an Islamic state and they certainly don't believe in the way the Saudis are governed.
Obviously I don't want to live in an Islamic state, but I do think it's fruitless to blindly group all Muslims together. I do believe that we can co-exist with an Islamic state and I don't believe that we have to force our political and social views on them.
I did make some very stupid comments right after the WTC attacks. I regret those statements. I especially regret the timing of those statements. That said, I do believe that our presence in certain parts of the world incites hatred against us.
If you look at recent history, there is undeniable proof of this theory. When Canada was opposed to action in Iraq, they were not a target. When they decided to join us, plots began against them. When Spain was active in Iraq, they were bombed. After they pulled out they stopped being a target.
Even lifelong hawks like Henry Kissinger acknowledge the fact that our presence over their is the primary reason that we are targeted. I think Kissinger has the right attitude, however, in saying that we have to keep some presence over there to protect Israel and our other interests in the region. Where I differ with the hawks is in the execution of that strategy.
Obviously I don't want to live in an Islamic state, but I do think it's fruitless to blindly group all Muslims together. I do believe that we can co-exist with an Islamic state and I don't believe that we have to force our political and social views on them.
I did make some very stupid comments right after the WTC attacks. I regret those statements. I especially regret the timing of those statements. That said, I do believe that our presence in certain parts of the world incites hatred against us.
If you look at recent history, there is undeniable proof of this theory. When Canada was opposed to action in Iraq, they were not a target. When they decided to join us, plots began against them. When Spain was active in Iraq, they were bombed. After they pulled out they stopped being a target.
Even lifelong hawks like Henry Kissinger acknowledge the fact that our presence over their is the primary reason that we are targeted. I think Kissinger has the right attitude, however, in saying that we have to keep some presence over there to protect Israel and our other interests in the region. Where I differ with the hawks is in the execution of that strategy.
