The article poses a very optimistic attitude about the West’s future role in the Middle East, implying that it will consist of more healthy relationships with Arab nations. While I believe that relationships built through investment, education, and institutional partnerships, as suggested by the article, would be ideal, I am doubtful that it is a realistic goal. I think that, at least in the near future, American foreign policy and subsequent intervention in the Middle East will be governed by our dependency on foreign oil. Oil was the basis of many of the United States’ relationships with Middle Eastern dictators, both those fallen and those still in power. Just look at our relationship with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has the world’s largest reserves of oil. The United States imports more than a million barrels of Saudi Arabian oil a day. Accordingly, America views Saudi Arabia as an important ally in the Middle East, especially through increased anti-terrorism efforts in the past decade. Yet the monarchy of Saudi Arabia is one of the most oppressive governments currently in power. Saudi Arabian citizens have restricted rights and have no say in their representation in the government. Women are not even allowed to drive, have to receive male permission to travel, and are forced to segregated spaces in public places. They were only given the right to participate in elections in September of this year, although the next election will not be until 2015. Great change can happen in four years... If the United States was truly interested in promoting fair and free government and the human rights that accompany such a government, it should focus on decreasing its support of governments like Saudi Arabia’s monarchy. I am not saying that the United States should invade and Saudi Arabia and forcibly oust the king; like the article stated, that tactic has obviously only decreased the West’s influence and power in the Middle East. But the fact that United States has continued to turn a blind eye to the human rights transgressions of the Saudi government it unacceptable. America should definitely examine the repercussions of its interactions with the Middle East. An Islamist government isn’t necessarily a bad government, but when one runs oneself as archaically as government of Saudi Arabia does, there needs to be a change. I doubt that America will discontinue its habit of meddling in the Middle East (again, oil). While it continues to do so, the American government needs to consider any derogatory impacts on the people of these Arab countries.
I remember thinking at the beginning of the Arab Spring about the possible outcomes of the various movements, and how those potential outcomes would influence the Middle East, the United States, and the world as a whole. My feelings were rather optimistic. The United States entered Iraq in order to overthrow Saddam Hussein and establish democracy in the country. After years of involvement, progress has been slow despite our best efforts. Now we see popular movements throughout the region of the countries own citizens pushing for the ideas we hoped to establish in Iraq, with more rapid success. Essentially I came to the conclusion, “If peace and stability are to come to the middle east in our own lifetime, this movement is what they need. Not war and puppet regimes.”
I also remember the anxiety of many in the US. We were worried that the new regimes would not be favorable to us because of our previous practices of propping up the repressive regimes they were now overthrowing. I am glad that we did not step in with intentions of crushing the protests in order to prevent the rise of an unfriendly government. Even though our actions in the past were wrong, our lack of significant attempts to influence the outcomes of the uprisings can be the beginning of a new attitude.
The West prides itself on its values of democracy, liberalism, and the right of individuals and nations to effectively govern themselves. Though in recent years, the policies of many western powers, but mainly the US, have not been consistent with these values. By allowing new regimes to come into power and recognizing their sovereignty, we can approach these new regimes on an even playing field. Finally, we may begin to return to our values.
The article poses a very optimistic attitude about the West’s future role in the Middle East, implying that it will consist of more healthy relationships with Arab nations. While I believe that relationships built through investment, education, and institutional partnerships, as suggested by the article, would be ideal, I am doubtful that it is a realistic goal. I think that, at least in the near future, American foreign policy and subsequent intervention in the Middle East will be governed by our dependency on foreign oil. Oil was the basis of many of the United States’ relationships with Middle Eastern dictators, both those fallen and those still in power.
ReplyDeleteJust look at our relationship with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has the world’s largest reserves of oil. The United States imports more than a million barrels of Saudi Arabian oil a day. Accordingly, America views Saudi Arabia as an important ally in the Middle East, especially through increased anti-terrorism efforts in the past decade. Yet the monarchy of Saudi Arabia is one of the most oppressive governments currently in power. Saudi Arabian citizens have restricted rights and have no say in their representation in the government. Women are not even allowed to drive, have to receive male permission to travel, and are forced to segregated spaces in public places. They were only given the right to participate in elections in September of this year, although the next election will not be until 2015. Great change can happen in four years...
If the United States was truly interested in promoting fair and free government and the human rights that accompany such a government, it should focus on decreasing its support of governments like Saudi Arabia’s monarchy. I am not saying that the United States should invade and Saudi Arabia and forcibly oust the king; like the article stated, that tactic has obviously only decreased the West’s influence and power in the Middle East. But the fact that United States has continued to turn a blind eye to the human rights transgressions of the Saudi government it unacceptable. America should definitely examine the repercussions of its interactions with the Middle East. An Islamist government isn’t necessarily a bad government, but when one runs oneself as archaically as government of Saudi Arabia does, there needs to be a change. I doubt that America will discontinue its habit of meddling in the Middle East (again, oil). While it continues to do so, the American government needs to consider any derogatory impacts on the people of these Arab countries.
I remember thinking at the beginning of the Arab Spring about the possible outcomes of the various movements, and how those potential outcomes would influence the Middle East, the United States, and the world as a whole. My feelings were rather optimistic. The United States entered Iraq in order to overthrow Saddam Hussein and establish democracy in the country. After years of involvement, progress has been slow despite our best efforts. Now we see popular movements throughout the region of the countries own citizens pushing for the ideas we hoped to establish in Iraq, with more rapid success. Essentially I came to the conclusion, “If peace and stability are to come to the middle east in our own lifetime, this movement is what they need. Not war and puppet regimes.”
ReplyDeleteI also remember the anxiety of many in the US. We were worried that the new regimes would not be favorable to us because of our previous practices of propping up the repressive regimes they were now overthrowing. I am glad that we did not step in with intentions of crushing the protests in order to prevent the rise of an unfriendly government. Even though our actions in the past were wrong, our lack of significant attempts to influence the outcomes of the uprisings can be the beginning of a new attitude.
The West prides itself on its values of democracy, liberalism, and the right of individuals and nations to effectively govern themselves. Though in recent years, the policies of many western powers, but mainly the US, have not been consistent with these values. By allowing new regimes to come into power and recognizing their sovereignty, we can approach these new regimes on an even playing field. Finally, we may begin to return to our values.