State vs. Non-State

Europundits writes a very good post about how our current world view ineffectually enables us to destroy robust criminal and non-state actors.

I think these armed gangs didn't even know what they stumbled upon, this loophole in the nation state system, but it's working for them, and hence, they continue to use it.

The Bush admin chose to view the problem of non-state actors as functionaries of masters or state actors. That is one way to look at the problem and in the absence of other ways, makes a lot of sense. Al Queda functioned by having a safe "haven" in Afghanistan. Hamas relied on the support of Saddam Hussien and other Arab governments. Hezbollah exists because of a failed state in Southern Lebanon and by funding from Iran and Syria.

It is important to note, however, this is not just a neoconservative view. Many subscribe to the view that states are the primary movers in international relations and not subscribe to the Bushian outcome. Case in point, many hardcore leftists blame the United States for empowering illegitimate movements to seize government control in South America, and point to the United States supporting Saddam and the Taliban and so forth in other times against the Soviet threat. This view of state-ness pervades the thinking of most everyone, including non-state actors, I think, many of whom try to seize control of states, ie Hamas.

Am I naive in thinking that the civilized world should band together to resist these non-state threats? Judging by my previous post, I can't even seem to reasonable agree between my friends that Hezbollah should be destroyed. We end up arguing about whether Israel is capable of doing it and in the absense of that, how they ought to act, and so forth, all this minutia, than in effect, just kicks the can down the street.

I don't understand why the world, the UN, can just agree on one thing: Hezbollah should not have guns and missiles and then figure out a way to get rid of them. I don't understand why Arab governments won't explain to their people that whatever grievances they may have, Hezbollah ain't gonna help. I don't understand why Israel is left alone to fight this battle and then criticized in the manner in which they fight it.

But whatever, the truth is, it doesn't affect me all that much. I can just go watch Brewster McCloud this evening and work on my screenplays. Why, in short, should I give a flying shit about the middle east and let their misery affect me?

I sometimes wonder if we just didn't pay attention to the middle east whether the problems would go away. Sort of like ignoring a stalker. Because honestly, the only attention we pay to the region is when there is violence. If these groups got no attention for their violence, would they realize how wasteful and stupid it is? What if suicide bombing got no media attention? Would it cease to be a useful tactic? Would it diminish it's value?

If we just didn't need the oil....