I think many Americans are like me when it comes to the Middle East; it is too tough to keep track of which faction is which, who hates who, which alliances are in place at the moment, and the whole region remains in a state of perpetual hatred that has no foreseeable end.  So I tend to gloss over news from the Middle East.  I know it is important, but it is too confusing and nothing ever gets resolved.

So thank goodness for Tom Friedman of The New York Times.  He knows the facts, understands the situations, and puts out analysis that helps me keep track it that region of the world.

Here is his column from yesterday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/opinion/friedman-the-man-with-pink-hair.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss