Why the US Fears Arab Democracy

[marmar]

via AlterNet:




Asia Times / By Pepe Escobar

Why the US Fears Arab Democracy
As much as Mubarak is a slave to US foreign policy, Obama is boxed in by geopolitical imperatives and enormous corporate interests he cannot even dream of upsetting.

February 6, 2011 |


Anybody believing that Washington's "orderly transition" led by Vice President Omar Suleiman (aka Sheikh al-Torture, according to protesters and human-rights activists) could satisfy Egyptian popular will believes Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin could have gotten away with a facelift.

The young, urban masses in Egypt fighting for bread, freedom, democracy, Internet, jobs and a decent future - as well as their counterparts across the Arab world, two-thirds of the overall population - see right through it.

Real "change we can believe in" (the Egyptian version) means not only getting rid of the dictator of 30 years but of his torturer-in-chief, who happens to be so far a key interlocutor of Washington, Tel Aviv and European capitals, and a key exponent of a regime rotten to the core, dependent on pitiless exploitation of its own citizens, and receiver of US aid to pursue agendas virtually no one would vote for in the Arab world.

"Orderly transition" may also be regarded as a ghastly euphemism for sitting on the fence - way distinct from an explicit call for democracy. The White House has morphed into a succession of white pretzels trying to salvage the concept. But the fact is that as much as Pharaoh Mubarak is a slave to US foreign policy, US President Barack Obama is boxed in by geopolitical imperatives and enormous corporate interests he cannot even dream of upsetting. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/world/149813/why_the_us_fears_arab_democracy_/

[Va Lefty]

1. US Foreign Policy in 2 sentences

"To cut to the chase; it's all about oil and Israel. That's the essence of Washington's foreign policy for the past six decades as far as the Middle East, Arabs and the Muslim world at large are concerned."



"I am shocked — shocked— to find that gambling is going on in here!"

Claude Rains-Casablanca

[aquart]

2. And you think it should be about what, instead?

If we allow the Arab states to gang up and massacre the Israelis and take back the territory, what is our fine achievement there? Will all the Arab states then be happy and peaceful?

WHAT IS IT YOU WANT? For us to turn a blind eye to more mass murder? WHAT WILL MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY?

And what about the Bedouins?

[parkia00]

3. How about something more than that?

Unless I'm reading what you say in error, you agree that the US policy on the ME should only be about oil and Israel? I really don't get it that some people still believe or want people to believe that the Arab armies are all massed on the borders and at any instant some signal will be given and all their tank battalions will rush over into Israel and push the Jews into the Med and then there will be great fanfare in the Muslim world. Thus billions of aid must be given to Israel. Special treatment must be given Israel. Special allowances must be shown to Israel so the only bright shining beacon of democratic light and all it's purity will not be snuffed out by the "evil doers.

Well to be frank, I think most middle east citizens (mainly the younger generation) are not concerned about Israel and what it wants. They are more concerned about what they feel is more important than Israel. Jobs, unemployment, corruption, rising prices of daily necessities and such. Same thing with the governments. They too are concerned about the same things keeping in mind the happenings in Tunisia and Egypt. Israel and it's emotions are no longer on the radar for overly important things to be too concerned about.

And what about mass murder? Why did you bring that up? No one said anything about mass murder except you. What gives?

And the Bedouins? Again why did you bring that up? But since you asked, the last I checked, their farms, orchards and small villages are still being flattened by the authorities in Israel. Something about permits; or the lack of it. Seems these permits are very difficult to get if you are unfortunate enough to be born into certain ethnic groups.

But that doesn't matter. It's a democracy! The shining beacon of light and what not.

[snappyturtle]

6. +1 I couldn't agree more! I had to delete what's really on my mind. nt

[BobbyBoring]

9. I too agree!

We're supposed to believe that Israel could be toppled at any moment. Well in 1967, they did fairly well.

Frankly, I think it's time to let Israel deal with Israel. I haven't seen any contribution from them that makes our sacrifices worthwhile. For years, they cried because they didn't have a country. Then they get one given to them and that's not enough. For some , there will never be enough. I'm tired of fighting proxy wars for Israel.

[truedelphi]

14. And some Bedouins got creamed during the very first day of our gallant struggle known as

Iraq I.

Our bombers laid down such a terrific bombing run that nothing on the hillsides below them was left alive.

[L0oniX]

19. +1

[WhiteTara]

5. What about the Bedouins?

What makes Israel our major concern?

[rhett o rick]

12. Good grief. If we dont back murderous dictators then we must be turning a blind eye to

more mass murder? So do you support democracy in Egypt or do you think that would endanger Israel?

Are the people of Israel more important than Egypt?

[Va Lefty]

13. Perhaps, just maybe...

It might not be such a great idea to prop up these dictatorial regimes that serve our short term interests. Inevitably these regimes are overthrown and we must deal with forces which are anti-American as a result of our backing rulers who hold onto power thru corruption, force and cronyism. Just sayin' :shrug:

[L0oniX]

20. Yea ...look at what happened after we propped up Sadam and sold him weapons.

[Ghost Dog]

17. Waaah! What about me me me, mine!

There's nothing to fear, child. Nothing to fear but fear itself.

[WhiteTara]

4. +1000

[orwell]

7. Since Israel is all about oil...

...it's all about oil.

[MasonJar]

8. It might be that they fear another fundamentalist regime, not democracy.

I certainly fear that possibility. Those fundamentalist Muslim countries are not democracies, especially for women, even if they have campaigns and votes.

[onlyadream]

10. Right - Bill Maher said it best

look what happened after the revolution in Iran. The fundamentalists snatched the country from the people and the rest is history.

[truedelphi]

15. But didn't our leaders get along well with the

Fundamentalists? I mean, Reagan used the Iranian fundamentalists to his advantage, and on the day of his inauguration the hostages were released.

I forget the details, but that is just one example of how our Big Shots can do well with the Fundie Big Shots.

[onlyadream]

16. Not just there, our leaders also were cool with the taliban

when Russia was in Afganistan. They just don't have any standards to hold to and it ends up biting us in the end.

[DirkGently]

11. Bit of a vicious circle, given U.S. interference & support of dictators fuels fundamentalism.

It's almost like trying to control the entire Middle East via a consortium of Israel and U.S.- friendly dictators causes more harm than help.

Think that's possible?


editted for speling.

[Ghost Dog]

18. Honesty is the best policy

Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it.
Mark Twain
US humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)

[L0oniX]

21. Maybe they fear a democracy like ours that gets corrupted like ours is.

[swilton]

22. Excellent Article!