Help Wanted

This week, columnist Thomas L. Friedman writes about the importance in this day and age to, as a leader, get the best out of the bottom-up, rather than the individual's ideas-down. The people in Russia after the fall of the USSR to the Middle East to Egypt to present-Russia won't stand for a change in leadership without their voices being heard. The people have more "freedom from" things. The democracy movement that has been happening in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries should be a wake up call to Russia's Vladimir Putin who just recently reappointed himself president.

Newt, Mitt, Bibi and Vladimir

This article shows that there is a wide range of attitudes towards the Israeli-Palestine conflict as 2011 comes to an end. Columnist Friedman criticizes Newt Gingrich, a member of the House of Representatives, for being too extreme on the Israeli side by saying the Palestine people are "invented". All his claims don't even end up very "pro-Israel" if you dissect the options Newt says Israel has. On the other hand, presidential candidate Mitt Romney just puts up the front that it doesn't matter what Israel does, America just has to applaud it. As for Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu "Bibi", isn't helping the thousands of confused Jews out there that at this point, don't know who they are. Israel seems to be facing a more cultural war than a political one.

The Arab Awakening and Israel

In this column, Friedman continues his investigation of the issues in the Middle East, this time focusing on Israel. He notes that Israel is in a really bad situation, considering it lost an ally, may be being targeted by Iran, and surrounded by unstable countries. Also, many people in Israel fear that it will be taken over by Islamists, especially because it has an Arab awakening practically in its own backyard. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu feels that the Arab world is actually moving backwards, and not forwards, meaning there is a valid possibility that Israel will be hurt, and the way Israel will come out of this well is not by doing nothing as it is now.

Introducing Op-Ed Columnist: Thomas L. Friedman

In the Arab World, It’s the Past vs. the Future

In this column, Thomas Friedman expounds on his concerns about the Arab world today. With the Arab Spring this past year and more countries such as Syria now with its own revolts, Friedman doesn't see a bright future for any of the Middle Eastern nations unless somehow, they get a peaceful transition to democracy. He is in awe of the determination of the Arab youth, but also sees reason to be cautious because of those countries' histories. Also, he questions if Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and others will be able to make this transition without any guide from the outside world.