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Thesis: The Arab Revolution from kicked off in Tunisia and Egypt came
from the masses and was not anticipated by or to the liking of the U.S.
imperialists or its allies in the "West" (or the Zionists).

Thesis:  The imperialists have tried to minimize the damage to their
"interests" in Tunisia and Egypt through allowing cosmetic reform but
have decided to draw a "line in the sand" around Saudi Arabia and the
Gulf States, the center of critical global oil resources, through
support of those regimes for their heavy repression against the masses
(and through lack of coverage of human rights violations in the
mainstream news media).

Thesis:  Not surprisingly, the imperialists are trying to exploit the
current situation (which again in not of their own making contrary to
what some have said), where the masses are in motion, to their advantage
to get rid of, if they can, certain "evildoer" regimes -- Libya, Syria,
Iran -- which are not fully with the program -- i.e., retain some
measure of political and economic independence (and are opposed to
Zionism) and may be closer to other power blocs.  The models here were
waiting and ready to go: Kosovo and the "Orange Revolutions" of the
ex-Soviet bloc.  That is why with these countries -- and not with
Bahrain or Saudi Arabia  -- we can see the "manufacturing of consent"
for "humanitarian intervention."

Thesis: The masses in motion have their own mixed objectives (liberal
democracy, Islamist, socialist, etc.)  However, many do seem to be naive
about "Western values," and without clear (Marxist?) leadership, it is
going to be very hard for them not to be sucked into the imperialist
agenda for the region. Although this situation could turn out
differently, more and more Libya seems to be a case in point of where
this is now happening.

Thesis: Marxists, particularly outside the region, are going to find it
very tricky to deal with the complexities of this whole situation, one
which needs to be analyzed dialectically, by keeping two balls in the
air as it were -- namely, support for class struggle (internal) and
anti-imperialism (which occurs at the level of states).

Thesis: Above all, Marxists have to keep in mind that what is central
here is not "democracy" or "human rights" (liberal slogans) in
particular countries but rather whatever can advance the cause of the
international revolution and moving humanity toward socialism.  This is
not a matter of applying abstract principles.  What that might consist
of is not the same from one time and place to another.  (Here a good
example is Lenin.)

OK, bring out the swords and scimitars, comrades.
jay





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