Downtown Beirut (Photo by Robert O'Dell)
It is alarming that military intervention in internal conflicts in foreign countries has become commonplace for the United States. Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it. Millions around the world increasingly see America not as a model of democracy but as relying solely on brute force, cobbling coalitions together under the slogan “you’re either with us or against us.” — Putin
Upside down in the Kremlin--you don't need to know Russian to read the clock--it's time for peace!
The sober mood permeating life in Beirut last week lifted when talk of a diplomatic solution to the chemical weapons crisis next door brought a sense of relief for many throughout the city. Last week, fear of the effects of an impending foreign military strike in Syria sent so many scrambling to the airport there were no plane tickets left to leave. To witness so much fear and terror in those around me about the very real possibility of war was heartbreaking. But now talk in Beirut has shifted from “Armageddon” back to the beach–though everyone knows that things here can change drastically in an instant…
Regardless of right or wrong–action or inaction–it has been amazing to watch the dynamic and engaged dialogue which has unfolded “this time around” about peace. Whether it’s about peace in Syria or peace for peace’s sake alone–this week we witnessed undeniable friction and opposition–from military leaders down to the grassroots level–to the destructive impulse of rushing into a military solution without having all of the facts first. It has been beautiful to see so many hearts and minds awakening to the possibility, promise, and power of peace.
This week, as I read emails from people around the world expressing their hopes for peace not just in Syria but all over the world, I was reminded of how interconnected we all are, especially in this digital age–and how the events in one place really can affect us all–as I witnessed first hand last week here in Beirut.
When I woke up this morning, I was surprised to find an Op-Ed by Vladimir Putin in the New York Times–just another example of how this ongoing global dialogue about peace, conflict, and resolution is unfolding in the most unexpected ways. Where it will all lead, we cannot know–but in the meantime, I’m watching it all with wonder…
Kremlin Guards (Photo by Emily O'Dell)
My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust. I appreciate this. I carefully studied his address to the nation on Tuesday. And I would rather disagree with a case he made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what makes us exceptional.”
It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal. — Vladimir Putin
