But no USA administration has followed the policy of returning Israel to pre-1967 borders. All nations concede that when you win a war, especially one you didn’t start, you are entitled to keep territories won. To back Israel in a position, surrounded by peoples not committed to their existence much less their security as the Obama speech on the Middle East has done could unleash the specter of WWIII. As is the motto of Masada, “Never Again” will Jews go quietly towards annihilation. Obama’s words on the Middle East should now convince Jews of every strip that our very existence could be at risk under Obama.

How strange that diplomat and principal secretary of the UN Palestine Commission, Ralph J. Bunche was the first black person to win the Noble Peace Prize in 1950 in recognition of his efforts to negotiate an armistice in the Arab Israeli conflict. To now see us move backwards at the hands of the most recent black recipient of that prize in Barack Obama says we haven’t come as far as we think.

Two very different yet very similar situations – both have high human cost and suffering, and both need all our help and support. Regarding Japan, the world has individually and collectively sent over rescue teams, health, food and shelter supplies, and although Japan is a wealthy and resourceful nation outside help at this distressing time is critical.

On the other hand, the Libyan people are daily being massacred by their leader; by one of their own while the world’s media is focused on Japan. Reports smuggled from Libya shows Gaddafi and his army are gaining ground and retaking the country one city at the time and doing it by any means possible. News of human suffering is heart breaking and rightly so, many in the West feel we can’t just standby and watch while this happen and do nothing. Economics aside, global responsibility and human decency prevent us from being idle observers.

As President Barack Obama has made the ultimate decision to send forth 30,000 additional armed forces to fight the insurgency in Afghanistan (a duplication of the 20,000 plus troops that former President George W. Bush sent to counter the insurgency in Iraq), the United States has signaled to the international community that victory in this region is necessary and imperative.

During the theatre of war, public support can be fatigue and fragile at times. It is important to remind people why Afghanistan is crucial in today’s time. It is the painful reminder of the terroristic attacks against our sovereign nation on September 11, 2001 that engaged us in a conflict against an ideology. An ideology that promotes evil over good and the right to take another’s life if their religious or political identity is different from yours.

Not only is the U.S. security interest at stake, but the whole world should be concerned about Afghanistan. If the Taliban is allowed a permanent safe haven in the Middle East and overthrow the government, it weakens the U.S. foreign policy and makes our nation vulnerable to future attacks.