The U.S. Freedom Agenda in the Middle East
Abstract
The Bush Administration's foreign policy has comprised three key components: security through forward defense; a black-and-white view of the post-9/11 world; and, most pervasively, the so-called "freedom agenda." These elements combine in an approach that many see as imperious and detached from on-the-ground realities, particularly in the Middle East. The thesis of this paper is that the United States requires a more balanced and realistic policy agenda in the Middle East, one that discards the strident promotion of constitutional democracy in favour of a less imperious approach based on values that are meaningful to Middle Eastern people and societies. The paper suggests that such values include freedom, human rights, equality, consent-based government, the rule of law, sovereignty, and responsibility. Revised U.S. policies and supporting strategies should reflect the complex and volatile relationship between Western and Islamic worlds. Some analyses suggest that their clash is inevitable, while others offer hope for an "alliance of civilizations." Such an alliance would require a concerted effort to reconcile Western and Islamic ideologies, which do not appear to be wholly incompatible. However, interpretation matters. It is vital that the United States and her allies seek, through their policies and actions in the Middle East, to empower Muslims who advocate moderate interpretations of the Islamic texts. Radical Islamists and so-called jihadi fighters must be denied their theological credibility. Although 61% of Middle Eastern countries are considered by Freedom House to be "Not Free", Middle Eastern regimes occupy a broad spectrum and many are undertaking cautious programmes of liberalization. Islamist political parties should be encouraged to operate in the mainstream of politics and to exert moderating influences over their followers -- especially young people who are drawn towards radicalism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA468787
Entities
People
- Neil J. Makepeace
Organizations
- National Defense University