America has opportunity to counter radicalism

By Karthik Soora     2/17/11 6:00pm

The traditional order of the Middle East is being torn asunder. For decades, the United States has supported dictatorships in the Middle East, and now almost 60 years of autocratic malgovernance has taken its toll. The Arab street has risen up, incensed by corruption, police brutality, and a fundamental lack of economic opportunity. Ben Ali in Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt have been cast aside, and now protests gain force like a cresting wave in Libya, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen and Bahrain. Caught flat-footed the first two times, the Obama administration must now formulate a proactive policy that not only ensures the stability of US security interests, but also allows and encourages reform efforts in future countries. However, most U.S. policymakers are looking at these protests as a potential problem. They worry about Israel, oil, and that radical Islamists will gain control of billions of dollars of U.S. weaponry. What they fail to realize is that in these uprisings and protests rests an opportunity. We have an opportunity to fundamentally engage the Arab street and show that we do not seek merely clients, but companions and partners in the journey of democracy.

For all of president George W. Bush's huffing and puffing, he was unable to bring democracy to the Middle East. Yes he talked about democracy, but when push came to shove, Mubarak, the Saudis and every other despotic regime in the Arab world received U.S. support. Therefore, to the Arab street, Bush seemed a hypocrite. If he actually cared about democracy, Arabs wondered, then why did he ignore the dictators that oppress us? Rhetoric was effusive, but action was lacking. The invasion of Iraq only showed the Arabs that America supports freedom for some states and not for others.

So now with the popular uprisings, we have a chance to finally put our rhetoric of freedom to action. Bush was definitely right about one thing. The lack of democracy in the Arab world is one of the single most important reasons for Islamic radicalism. With no outlet for popular sentiment and poor governance, radicalism is felt to be the only recourse. For this reason, the U.S. should take all possible steps to support democratic elements, ensure smooth transitions in these countries, and thus strike a fundamental blow against terrorism far more lasting than a Predator drone strike. In addition, these steps should be minimal, allowing democratic sentiments to be consolidated and won by the elements best prepared to put them into action, the populace.

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At the same time, U.S. power, while still influential, is beginning to wane. With massive structural deficits and a Republican majority in the House, we must learn to have a foreign policy that accomplishes U.S. objectives with fewer resources. Sometimes more can be accomplished with less, and this could be the impetus for more unconventional thinking in foreign policy that transforms a region of client states into democratic companions.

One principle of a more minimalistic foreign policy in the Middle East is speaking softly. President Barack Obama's response to the Egyptian protests was rhetorically sound, demonstrating support for the aims of the protesters while leaning away from full US. Though Wizner and Clinton stumbled, the Administration's avoided Reaganesque rhetorical excess that would have made leverage and pressure on Mubarak difficult. Instead, the Administration instituted quiet diplomacy by attempting to talk Mubarak down and steadily prodding the military to constructively step in. While 95 percent of the success of the protests is no doubt due to the protesters, the Administration is owed thanks for quietly showing Mubarak the door and helping avoid a potentially violent situation. This should unequivocally be a policy for all future protests.

Another principle of a more minimalistic foreign policy is leveraging current resources better. Right now U.S. policymakers worry the Egyptian military will usurp power, fail to liquidate its substantial holdings and derail the transition to democracy. If Administration wishes to bolster the will of protesters, it could place the billions of dollars of military aid to Egypt contingent on the approval of a panel of Egyptian civilian leadership. This avoids the appearance of imperialism and allows the Egyptian populace a check over the army. Jordan, which also receives US aid and is undergoing protests, could also be given a similar package if the King is thrown out by the military.

Another area where we could leverage resources better is the Arab-Israeli conflict. While President Obama has stated he would like to bring the Arab-Israeli conflict to a close, the release of the "Palestinian Papers" has shown that the Israelis lack the current political will to finalize an agreement with the West Bank leadership. The Israelis are sailing in the clear; terrorist attacks are at a minimum and it is the unequivocal military power of the region. According to the World Bank it has a per capita gross domestic product of over $26,000 dollars and received $2.55 billion in U.S. military aid in 2008. With a status quo that so favors Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu has no desire to anger the settlers and give up Israeli territory; the Palestinians in turn lack any ability to compel him. Therefore, if America seriously wishes to solve the dispute, leadership is needed. Israel must be made aware that in times of unprecedented high unemployment and national debt on America's part, it cannot expect to free-ride on America. The $2.55 billion in aid could be used on vitally needed domestic infrastructure, education or health-care spending. If the Israeli political leadership cannot honor our alliance and muster the political will to make peace with the Palestinians, then it must be made to recognize that the economic circumstances of aid have changed.

With a popular impetus favoring reform and democracy, the Obama Administration has an opportunity to help change the status quo in the region and strike a blow against the heart of Islamic radicalism. How we craft our policies has the potential to shape the Middle East for decades to come.

Karthik Soora is a Will Rice College senior.

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