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This is a good point. An area steeped in sectarian violence and racism must surely take a completely different approach than an area with purely political strug

This is a good point. An area steeped in sectarian violence and racism must surely take a completely different approach than an area with purely political struggles. I wonder what mechanisms other that political pressure might make progress in the Middle-East or if there are any success stories to learn from in other areas?

rowanseymour 6y ago
> "An area steeped in sectarian violence and racism must surely take a completely different approach than an area with purely political struggles" I'm not even sure how to respond to this. Are you suggesting the people of that region are inherently violent? Are we talking about the violence caused by Western countries starting several wars there in the last few decades? Are we talking about the colonial powers' exploitation of Shia/Sunni divides to further their interests?
- Gabriel_Martin 6y ago
  I'm not suggesting anything, I'm wondering what mechanisms other that political pressure might make progress in the Middle-East, given the historical context that the OP mentioned. Also, the guidelines: "Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith."
Udik 6y ago
> An area steeped in sectarian violence and racism So they say. In the meanwhile, Israel has taken almost all the land. It's a very convenient racist and sectarian hatred this of the Palestinians, it has a return measurable in square kms, hundreds of thousands of low price houses, arable land and water resources. For the Israelis, of course. Problems are always infinitely complicated in the words of those who profit from keeping them unsolved.
- Gabriel_Martin 6y ago
  OP's context went back thousands of years, so maybe I'd be more accurate to say sectarian violence and tribalism? Either way, maybe there's a hint in your comment. Finding ways to add sharp external costs to all parties involved? Whether Israel's state sanctioned abuse of Palestinians, Hamas or any other faction's violence, and likely also costs to neighboring countries who continue to have motivations other than seeking resolution. Do methods to add costs/pressures like that exist?

rowanseymour 6y ago

> "An area steeped in sectarian violence and racism must surely take a completely different approach than an area with purely political struggles" I'm not even sure how to respond to this. Are you suggesting the people of that region are inherently violent? Are we talking about the violence caused by Western countries starting several wars there in the last few decades? Are we talking about the colonial powers' exploitation of Shia/Sunni divides to further their interests?

Gabriel_Martin 6y ago
I'm not suggesting anything, I'm wondering what mechanisms other that political pressure might make progress in the Middle-East, given the historical context that the OP mentioned. Also, the guidelines: "Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith."

Udik 6y ago

> An area steeped in sectarian violence and racism So they say. In the meanwhile, Israel has taken almost all the land. It's a very convenient racist and sectarian hatred this of the Palestinians, it has a return measurable in square kms, hundreds of thousands of low price houses, arable land and water resources. For the Israelis, of course. Problems are always infinitely complicated in the words of those who profit from keeping them unsolved.

Gabriel_Martin 6y ago
OP's context went back thousands of years, so maybe I'd be more accurate to say sectarian violence and tribalism? Either way, maybe there's a hint in your comment. Finding ways to add sharp external costs to all parties involved? Whether Israel's state sanctioned abuse of Palestinians, Hamas or any other faction's violence, and likely also costs to neighboring countries who continue to have motivations other than seeking resolution. Do methods to add costs/pressures like that exist?