Is Israel the best or 2nd best country in the Middle East?

[lfromnj]

This question doesn't ask if you actually like Israel but if its better than the surrounding countries. For example I think Israel is a HP country but its probably overattacked(except by the US and bribed countries)/ and I would much rather the US be allied with Israel than any other Middle Eastern country.

For me the answer is a yes. Allowed a second best just incase if someone thinks maybe 1 other country is better.

[Goldwater]

Obviously yes.

[Former President tack50]

Obviously yes.

[dead0man]

It's not even close, is it?  I doubt we could even agree on who number 2 would be.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Obviously yes.

[Senator Incitatus]

Somewhere between no and definitely not, depending on how expansive your definition of the region is (Tunisia and Morocco).

[Wikipedia delenda est]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Define "best", because there are various distinct criterias with diffrent answers to each.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

[Senator Incitatus]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

Imagine being comfortable with these things.

[Goldwater]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

Not to mention that staying out of conflict isn't really something that I would consider to be inherently virtuous.

[TDAS04]

Yeah.  Judging countries by human rights, it's the best in the region.  Unless, maybe, if you count Cyprus.  Then Israel's the second best.

Israel treats its citizens well.  The Palestinians deserve to be treated better, but even then the other countries in the region are worse on human rights.

[lfromnj]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

Not to mention that staying out of conflict isn't really something that I would consider to be inherently virtuous.

I mean its good for the US to stay out of conflict half way across the world but I think all 3 of Israel's wars are justified considering 2/3 are self defense and the 3rd was a surprise attack days before the other countries would have attacked.

[Wikipedia delenda est]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

Yeah you might be right; should've thought that over more.

[Kingpoleon]

It's not even close, is it?  I doubt we could even agree on who number 2 would be.

Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan are probably the next top four. Which really says a lot about the Middle East.

[John Dule]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

Not to mention that staying out of conflict isn't really something that I would consider to be inherently virtuous.

Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue...

[brucejoel99]

Obviously yes.

[Mr. Smith]

Cyprus is clear best.

[GMantis]

Cyprus is not usually considered part of the Middle East, so this leaves Israel in first place (possibly in second place dependent on whether Tunisia is in the Middle East). Which says a lot about how terrible the Middle East is.

[Farmlands]

Yes. Would be even better if noted grifter Benjamin Netanyahu was not in power, but it's still the most developed country in the region by far, plus a democracy to boot.

[Santander]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

You say that as if some of us don't want to live in such a country.

[Kizzuwanda]

No.

[YE]

Obviously yes.

[President Johnson]

Yes, easily the best. I'm not a fan of Bibi, but it's the only stable democracy in the region. Also like the culture and people.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Oman is probably the best. Though they are an absolute monarchy, they've managed to stay neutral in the destructive conflicts plaguing the Middle East, most notably the Saudi-Iranian rivalry. That in itself is a great achievement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Oman

Easy to say when you're comfortably sitting with all your free speech and liberty. I'd also add that it's pretty unfair to call us worse than an authoritarian, theocratic absolute monarchy because we don't "stay out" of conflicts when we're literally everyone's favourite boogeyman in the region. We can't stay out.

You say that as if some of us don't want to live in such a country.

I support theocracy.  Which religion, it doesn't matter.