A growing separation of civilizations : The famous clash of civilizations does not exist; in fact, a separation of civilizations is underway. It takes many forms, from Muslim-only enclaves in the West to matrimony, economics, education, culture, media, entertainment, travel, websites, and even time-keeping . How many tourists, for example, will sun themselves on Tunisian beaches or explore Egyptian antiquities any time soon? “ Obama, we love Osama ”: That's what a crowd in downtown Sydney, Australia chanted. Meanwhile Afghan , Indian , and Pakistani Islamists burned Barack Obama in effigy. Such hatred of Obama is the more remarkable given Obama's many childhood connections to Islam , his 2007 prediction that his presidency would witness a major improvement in relations with Muslims, his strenuous efforts to win over Muslim opinion on becoming president, and the initially favorable Muslim reaction to him. In fact, his standing has plunged to the point that he is as unpopular or more so than George W. Bush. इस्लाम विरोधी भावना को भडकाने का प्रसार हो गया है : रश्दी ने इसी सप्ताह प्रकाशित पुस्तक में बताया है कि उन्हें कुछ भी पता नहीं था कि वह किस रास्ते पर चल रहे हैं । इसी प्रकार अन्य लोग जैसे कि अमेरिकी सैनिकों ने 2012 के आरम्भ में कुरान को जलाया और दुर्घटनावश इस्लामवादियों को छेड दिया। परंतु फ्लोरिडा के पादरी टेरी जोन्स , Innocence of Muslims के पीछे के गुट ने, साथ ही फ्रांसीसी साप्ताहिक पत्रिका Charlie Hebdo , तथा कनाडा और स्पेन के इस्लाम विरोधी गुटों ने तो यह जानबूझकर मुसलमानों को चिढाने के लिये किया। तो क्या इस्लामवादियों ने और इस्लामविरोधी कार्यकर्ताओं ने परस्पर अन्योन्याश्रित सम्बंध विकसित कर लिया है जहाँ कि दोनों एक दूसरे को उकसाते हैं।
22.
Israel's long-term investment has paid off. South Sudan fits into a renewed periphery strategy that includes Cyprus, Kurds, Berbers , and, perhaps one day, a post-Islamist Iran. South Sudan offers access to natural resources, especially oil. Its role in Nile River water negotiations offers leverage vis-à-vis Egypt. Beyond practical benefits, the new republic represents an inspiring example of a non-Muslim population resisting Islamic imperialism through its integrity, persistence, and dedication. In this sense, the birth of South Sudan echoes that of Israel. If Kiir's Jerusalem visit is truly to mark a milestone, South Sudan must travel the long path from dirt-poor, international protectorate with feeble institutions to modernity and genuine independence. This path requires the leadership not to exploit the new state's resources nor dream of creating a “ New Sudan ” by conquering Khartoum, but to lay the foundations for successful statehood. A sign at the independence celebrations (edited for meaning, using the Arabic for guidance): “From today, our identity is South [Sudanese] and African, not Arab and Islamic. We are not the worst of Arabs but the best of Africans.” For the Israelis and other Westerners, this means both helping with agriculture, health, and education and urging Juba to stay focused on defense and development while avoiding wars of choice. A successful South Sudan could eventually become a regional power and a stalwart ally not just of Israel but of the West. Jan. 12, 2012 update : In the aftermath of the euphoric independence celebrations, news coming out of South Sudan is pretty bleak, Jeffrey Gettleman documents in “ Born in Unity, South Sudan Is Torn Again .” An excerpt: South Sudan, born six months ago in great jubilation, is plunging into a vortex of violence. Bitter ethnic tensions that had largely been shelved for the sake of achieving independence have ruptured into a cycle of massacre and revenge that neither the American-backed government nor the United Nations has been able to stop. इजरायल के लम्बे समय के निवेश का लाभ मिला है। दक्षिणी सूडान उस नयी क्षेत्रीय रणनीति में पूरी तरह उपयुक्त बैठता है जिसमें कि साइप्रस, कुर्द, बरबर और शायद एक दिन उत्तर इस्लामवादी ईरान भी शमिल हो। दक्षिणी सूडान के चलते प्राकृतिक ससाधनों पर पहुँच हो सकेगी विशेष रूप से तेल। नील नदी के जल की वार्ता में इसकी भूमिका से मिस्र पर भी कुछ दबाव बन सकेगा । व्यावहारिक लाभ से परे नया गणतंत्र अपनी निष्ठा, समर्पण और उद्देश्यके प्रति लगन के द्वारा गैर मुस्लिम जनता द्वारा इस्लामी साम्राज्यवाद के प्रतिरोध का प्रेरणाप्रद उदाहरण प्रस्तुत करता है । इस प्रकार दक्षिणी सूडान का जन्म तो इजरायल को ही प्रतिध्वनित करता है।
