https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/09/08/the-big-casino/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 06:41:59 -0400<![CDATA[Michael Totten looks at the mechanics of how minorities survive in the Middle East. Although the Jews are the best known of those minorities, the Druze are in their own way, subject to the same Darwinian requirements of existence. They too have to make and break alliances, gauge the direction of the wind and generally follow the prevailing breezes. His exploration of the dilemmas of Walid Jumblatt, now up at his site, illustrates very clearly why it is important to be the Strong Horse in the Middle East to have any hope of being a force for good. One of the ironies of statecraft is that peacemaking requires the ability to inspire fear. Not charity but wariness keeps the wolves at bay.]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:29:45 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2009/09/08/the-big-casino-n189108