REPORTER: "How confident are you, Mr. President, that you can keep the ceasefire in Gaza?"

Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis

I'm sure that calling me "Sebastian" was a devastating insult, but it went right past me. But if you want to talk about religious disparities--those aren't necessarily fuel for conflict. We in the US live together with a lot of reigious disparities--Catholicism, Judaism, Trumpism, Alcoholism...but in Renaissance Europe, minor doctrinal differences caused wars that lasted for decades. So it's a matter of toleration, brought about by societal influences, not any ethnicities' inherent appetite for conflict.

Iran isn't germane to this discussion, because its surface theocracy is just a veneer covering up a brutal dictatorship that doesn't adhere to its own professed religious tenets. It's no more an Islamic republic than the Soviet Union was a communist country.

I for one am tired of focusing on the supposed differences among groups of humans ("THEY" are just inherently warlike) and would rather pay attention to the similarities (we all want to see our children grow up safe and healthy).

Surely we do. But the depth of doctrinal differences is pretty significant between these factions in all the history to date. You act as if recognizing that is some kind of moral mistake. It's a verifiable observation, and all the diplomatic and well-intentioned efforts since recent history was recorded have failed. You intend nobility here but that's never worked before. Carry on and wish / hope that boot to fill up.

You clearly didn't read the peer reviewed study on Middle Eastern genealogy that showed that people from and in the ME marry as first cousins habitually and the inbreeding causes aggression and low IQ.  But probably where you are from that's normal and explains your TDS and lack of ability of discernment of harmful untested therapies might further cause heart issues and lower your libido and testosterone making you just a cuck for your wife's boyfriend.

You're babbling...again.

Nope, Nines. I want/intend to see human decency, and surely one fundamental element of that is to not judge someone based on ethnicity, national origin, or belief system.

I never said that the differences among doctrines aren't significant. Sometimes they really are. I was referring to how societal systems and customs intensity or attenuate those differences. In modern American society, you might never know someone's religion, even if you see them every day. In 15th century France, you would have absolutely known it immediately the first time you saw them.

I disagree that all efforts to moderate doctrinal differences within a coexisting population have failed. Our own country is a pretty good example of success. I agree that the majority of human societies, past and present, have failed; but the attendant question is, how many have tried? In most nations with two or more religious groups, there have always been the state religion and the apostates/heretics/blasphemers. No compromises. Accomodating the blasphemers was quite often not only intensely frowned upon but also activeloy dangerous.

So I don't see the Middle East or any other sectarian conflicts as inevitable or unsolvable.

Why do we need to solve anything over there?  Oh, MIC is funding both sides, I see.  Endless wars must continue.

Silly question. War is a negative no matter what. But we also can't let bullies, strongmen, and wannabe dictators have their way.

A peaceful Middle East would also be a huge economic benefit to the world. Those "endless wars" cost big bucks and threaten trade. It's in no one's interest.

I agree, peace is best.  But MIC loves war and the endless munitions contracts and rebuilding of what was destroyed.  It's a handy way to cycle taxpayer dollars into their coffers while killing millions.