I read with interest the article “Tampering with civilizations” (Nov. 24) by Ramzy Baroud. It is correct that the United States military adventures in the Middle East has caused irreparable damage not only to the region but the ongoing unrest has now started affecting the entire world. Nobody could challenge the writer’s viewpoint as expressed in the article. He has raised valid points. After reading the article, one question came to my mind: What should the Arabs do now? What should be the way forward?

Arab intellectuals like Baroud should try to come up with suggestions to address the situation. We don’t expect such articles to make any tangible difference but they may help in creating awareness among the masses in the Arab world.

We all know that the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan have triggered a chain of bloody events. It is an open secret so why waste time by repeating the obvious again and again. It is just a waste of time and space. The Arab intellectuals should come up with ideas to help pull the masses from this quagmire. We read many articles on the ongoing regional crisis condemning America and the West. The western nations are acting in self-interest, so why blame them? Everybody knows that the main purpose of the US invasion of Iraq was to get control over the natural riches, particularly oil, of the country. What matters most is that how the Arabs responded to the invasions. Even today the Arabs remain divided over almost every issues. If it were not for the threats of Daesh, nobody would have coined the idea of a joint Arab military. The Arab world needs to set aside its differences to ensure a secure future for future generations.