Khalaf Al-Harbi

Okaz

 

IMAGINE that you looked at the scene from your window and you saw fighters freely roaming the streets after killing three of your neighbors and leaving many others dead in the middle of the street.



Such a scene would definitely be pleasing to our brethren on Al-Jazeera news channel but would not be pleasing to you. You would realize that it was your country's turn to witness the massacres of what is called the "New Middle East".



The wealthy people in your district might be able to escape with their wives and children to any European country, leaving you alone amid this destruction. You will have nothing to do except participate every day in the funerals of your murdered neighbors and relatives. You will be keen to attend these funerals so that people would follow your children to their graves when rockets rain on your rented apartment.



On that day, the talk about the international conspiracy in which some of your neighbors and countrymen have participated consciously or unconsciously will not be of any use to you. You will remember the foolishness you used to zealously spread on social media networks about the bloody conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya. You will come to realize that the picture is now totally different and that your very street has become the source of news for the satellite channels.



Like all Iraqis, Syrians and Yemenis, you will discover that many parties were responsible for the destruction of your home. These were the US, your own government, the neighboring countries, the extremist groups, Israel, tribal and sectarian fanaticism, Al-Jazeera and many others.



This discovery would not be useful to you because you will find yourself facing two bitter options. You will either join one of the two warring factions or find a tent in a refugee camp for your children where you will be standing in long queues waiting for relief assistance.



Do you think that this black scenario is farfetched and exaggerated? If your answer is yes, then be sure that the majority of people in the Arab countries that are now witnessing bloody conflicts were thinking the same.



They were safe and secure until the wheel of history turned on their heads and they became mere numbers in the news. The news agencies usually speak about the numbers of the dead and the injured without mentioning that these victims had children and dreams they would never achieve.



This is the cycle of days. The situation might turn worse in the countries whose people do not realize that the fires that have burned down their neighbors may spread to their own homes.