Many people believe confronting backwardness in the region requires American intervention. They think establishing democracy and progress needs a similar US role as in Germany and Japan after World War II, or in Eastern Europe after the Socialist Camp's collapse.
But we believe America did not introduce the democratic mentality to the Russians, Germans, or Japanese. The complicated circumstances these nations experienced created their desire to rid themselves of dictatorship. Although Americans or Westerners played a role, it was the nations themselves who ultimately chose their political systems.
Moreover, we see that America, which pays lip service to democracy, imposes pressures on Russia, Germany, and Japan. It forces them to support the war on Iraq. It also threatens the interests of non-permanent members of the Security Council. These threats are at the security and economic levels.
Turkey is the best example to illustrate this issue. It was the first Muslim country to westernize and secularize in an "Eastern way". The Turkish Parliament voted against allowing American troops to enter Turkey to fight Iraq. America then threatened to undermine Turkey's economic wellbeing. It embarked on inciting the Iraqi Kurds against Turkey. America can never accept or exert effort to create real democracy in the Arab and Muslim world. Such democracy would endanger America's interests. It would allow the peoples of the region to be liberated from their prisons and possess their own natural wealth.
Therefore, some believe America only wants to replace existing regimes. The current regimes are largely tribal or dictatorial. America wants regimes that give people a small margin to breathe. Thus, any reform movement should stem from the inside. However, this does not mean we should not benefit from any military developments we may or may not approve of. We have to initiate the process of reform without taking instructions from America or any other power.
The Arab people are capable of toppling dictatorial regimes. The Iraqi people were about to succeed in their popular uprising after the Kuwait war. American intervention thwarted it. I know how big this jail is in which the Arabs are living. Nevertheless, those peoples are able to initiate change if the super powers do not intervene.
Had America not intervened in 1991, the Iraqi people would have toppled the Iraqi dictatorship. American intelligence used to guard Saddam as long as they needed him. This was when he invaded Iran armed with a green light from April Glaspie, the then American Ambassador to Iraq. It is true that America saved Kuwait from Saddam. It posed to the Gulf people as saviors. But, in return, it got all the military bases it has sought in the Gulf.
Date: 04/02/2014 A.D 04/04/1435 H
Many people believe confronting backwardness in the region requires American intervention. They think establishing democracy and progress needs a similar US role as in Germany and Japan after World War II, or in Eastern Europe after the Socialist Camp's collapse.
But we believe America did not introduce the democratic mentality to the Russians, Germans, or Japanese. The complicated circumstances these nations experienced created their desire to rid themselves of dictatorship. Although Americans or Westerners played a role, it was the nations themselves who ultimately chose their political systems.
Moreover, we see that America, which pays lip service to democracy, imposes pressures on Russia, Germany, and Japan. It forces them to support the war on Iraq. It also threatens the interests of non-permanent members of the Security Council. These threats are at the security and economic levels.
Turkey is the best example to illustrate this issue. It was the first Muslim country to westernize and secularize in an "Eastern way". The Turkish Parliament voted against allowing American troops to enter Turkey to fight Iraq. America then threatened to undermine Turkey's economic wellbeing. It embarked on inciting the Iraqi Kurds against Turkey. America can never accept or exert effort to create real democracy in the Arab and Muslim world. Such democracy would endanger America's interests. It would allow the peoples of the region to be liberated from their prisons and possess their own natural wealth.
Therefore, some believe America only wants to replace existing regimes. The current regimes are largely tribal or dictatorial. America wants regimes that give people a small margin to breathe. Thus, any reform movement should stem from the inside. However, this does not mean we should not benefit from any military developments we may or may not approve of. We have to initiate the process of reform without taking instructions from America or any other power.
The Arab people are capable of toppling dictatorial regimes. The Iraqi people were about to succeed in their popular uprising after the Kuwait war. American intervention thwarted it. I know how big this jail is in which the Arabs are living. Nevertheless, those peoples are able to initiate change if the super powers do not intervene.
Had America not intervened in 1991, the Iraqi people would have toppled the Iraqi dictatorship. American intelligence used to guard Saddam as long as they needed him. This was when he invaded Iran armed with a green light from April Glaspie, the then American Ambassador to Iraq. It is true that America saved Kuwait from Saddam. It posed to the Gulf people as saviors. But, in return, it got all the military bases it has sought in the Gulf.
Date: 04/02/2014 A.D 04/04/1435 H