Quote:
Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
And the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, whose ass we are being forced to thoroughly kiss, came out with a statement comdemning the assassination of Sheik Yassin (Hamas) and calling him a martyr to the struggle, etc.
Well, everyone says that democratization is a long term process, and people don't love you just 'cause you did them a favor.
Democratization is not enough, however. I guess the answer is that folks in the Middle East are less likely to "like us" until their countries/societies modernize, Westernize, and become more prosperous -- which we _think_ is likely to happen faster with an open, democratic society where certain basic freedoms are enshrined in law. Also -- the opportunity for political participation is likely to reduce, long-term, participation in terrorist/violent organizations to advance one's political agenda.
S_A_M
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The problem is, in the 70s particularly but also the 80s our policies basically threw away fifty years of modernization when we decided to dig in in support of conservative regimes in Iran and Saudi and to treat the Westernized left as our enemies. Net result: Westernized left discredited throughout the Middle East as Radical Islam comes to the fore, and so anyone opposed to the established regimes gravitates toward Radical Islam as the force capable of overthrowing the dictators.
Basically, until an entire middle class and intelligensia grow up with some vested commitment to Democracy and capitalism, our goals are toast. It's work that will take a generation and cost lots of lives, not something that will happen in a couple of years.
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