The escalating upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa have aroused great global concern. New England Patriots Laurence Maroney Jersey . Local authorities poor governance contributed to the clashes, but external forces have played a role in fanning the flames and have attempted to influence the development of local affairs in accordance with their own desires. With the increasing interdependence among countries and the extreme imbalance between small and big countries and developed and developing countries, there are few nations that can keep the initiative in their own hands and be immune from the influence of outside powers and act independently. Even in an era of globalization, the bargaining and competition among major powers determine the overall landscape of world affairs, and those powerful countries and the nature of their diplomacy are still the major force in shaping the international framework. But, as none of the major powers can bear the consequences of head-on collisions, they usually choose to compete in a buffer zone or existing sphere of influence. Shortly after World War II, the United States incorporated the Middle East into its sphere of influence, taking the role of the European colonial states. By energetically nurturing Israel and dividing the Arab world, the US attained its goal of dominating the oil resources and the transportation routes in the Middle East, as well as influencing its allies and new oil consumption countries. While the US always claims that its Middle East policy is determined by a countrys level of democracy, human rights and morality, it is actually governed by whether a country is pro-US or not. In fact, the issues in many countries in the Middle East and North Africa have much to do with the intervention of the US and other Western nations. Both the Saddam Hussein regime and the Hosni Mubarak government once received support from the US, not to mention Washingtons constant partiality for Israel in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Without unity and without external support, poor Arab countries find it difficult to be masters of their own destinies; many of the problems they now face have their roots in economic development. Meanwhile, those rich Middle East monarchies, which rely on their huge oil wealth and the support of the US, have avoided the storm. However, by putting its own interests first and pursuing double standards the US has fostered local religious factions and rampant extremism that might leave Washingtons Middle East strategy in disarray. In fact, no other region has stronger anti-US public opinion than the Middle East and it is the root cause of the US lack of security guarantee for the world. Regardless of what factors caused the turbulence in the Middle East and North Africa, the fact is that the sphere of influence of the US in the region has been affected. Rapid changes in the political landscape from Egypt to Bahrain have dealt a heavy blow to the US. The spreading turbulence gives various anti-US forces an opportunity to show off their muscles. In particular, Iran took the opportunity to send warships through the Suez Canal en route to Syria, expressing support for Israels opponent and acting as a matchmaker among those Middle East countries that are against Israel. If Al-Qaida also wants to fish in the troubled waters of Iraq and surrounding areas and finally pose a threat to Israel, Washingtons long-term Middle East strategy will face a big problem. Considering that the Middle East is one of the pillars of the US global hegemony and expanding turbulence in the region has caused the price of crude oil to rise, it is Washingtons responsibility to maintain stability in the Middle East and North Africa. After all, only the US has the capability and influence to do so. The author is a professor at the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China. (China Daily 03072011 page9) Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale . Following is the full text: Chinas Foreign Aid Information Office of the State Council The Peoples Republic of China April 2011, Beijing Preface I. Patriots Tedy Bruschi Jersey . [PhotoAgencies] US engages shuttle diplomacy as Israeli PM meets Palestinian leader JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a second day of talks on Wednesday to try to overcome a row over Jewish settlement building that could sink their push for peace. New England Patriots Tedy Bruschi Jerseys . In a biweekly radio speech to the public, Lee said Some people are voicing criticism over the adjustment of the transfer, stressing the importance of autonomous national defense...However, the rescheduling constitutes a choice that is substantive and autonomous in nature. Ellsbury Jersey . "It was definitely a big game for our organization," Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. "Having the opportunity to play Manchester United, arguably the best club team in the world, was a huge accomplishment for the Kansas City area. It was tremendous to have 50,000 fans show their support at this game. Authentic Jerod Mayo Jerseys . The Maple Leafs had won three out of four from Nov. 16-22, but the club has since lost three in a row, going 0-2-1 during that stretch. Toronto has scored a total of four goals on this current slide and three of those tallies came in Tuesdays overtime loss to visiting Tampa Bay. Carson, CA (Sports Network) - Chivas USA earned a much-needed Major League Soccer victory, 3-2, over the San Jose Earthquakes at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night. The rare three-goal output by Chivas USA came from Sacha Kljestan, Justin Braun and Chukwudi Chijindu. It was the first time the L.A.-based club has scored three goals in an MLS fixture since October of 2008 vs. D.C. United. Kljestan opened the scoring 25 minutes in when he blasted a 25-yard laser just inside the near post. But San Jose equalized before the break when Chris Wondolowski was pulled down in the penalty area by Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein. Wondolowski slotted the chance past goalkeeper Zach Thornton, just inside the left post. Justin Braun gave the home side the advantagee back nine minutes after the interval when he headed home a service from the right side. Premier New England Patriots Jersey. Bornstein started the chance with a service to the right side to Mariano Trujillo, who then fired a cross into the area. Braun got his head on the ball to knock it off the far post and in. The Goats added an insurance goal in the 87th minute when Chijindu got behind the defense and slotted past goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Its a good thing, because San Jose pulled one back three minutes into stoppage time on a Steven Beitashour blast off a corner kick to close out the scoring. Chivas USA (2-3-0) will aim to build on the solid home performance at Chicago next Saturday, while San Jose (2-2-0) hosts Colorado later the same night in its next league fixture. ' ' '