Middle Eastern Perspectives on the United States

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Middle Eastern Perspectives on the United States Middle Eastern Perspectives on the United States Are We a Reliable Security Partner or a “Problem to be Managed”? Amin Tarzi, James Zogby, Leon Hadar, Jon Alterman The Following is an unedited transcript of the sixty-second in a series of Capitol Hill conferences convened by the Middle East Policy Council. The meeting was held Thursday, October 14, 2010, with Thomas R. Mattair presiding. FRANK ANDERSON, President, Middle East Policy Council Well, good morning, everyone, and thank you for braving horrible weather and the resultant horrible traffic to get here. You’re the few and the brave and we greatly appreciate it. I’m Frank Anderson. I’m the president of the Middle East Policy Council. Middle East Policy Council is a nonprofit nonpartisan institution dedicated to improving the informed dialogue on national policy issues that – or national security issues that impact American interests in the Middle East. We’ve recently expanded the Middle East to involve the entire arc of crisis from sort of Morocco through the Indian subcontinent in the issues that we address. We do so with three mechanisms – one, we publish Middle East Policy, which keeps being measured as the most cited journal in the field in other journals; through conferences like this on Capitol Hill – today’s – the transcript of today’s conference will become the first chapter, as it does every quarter, of the next issue of Middle East Policy; and the third leg of our stool of education on the region is an educational outreach program in which we go around the country presenting teacher workshops to teachers, enabling and exciting them about teaching the geography, the history, the culture, politics, and religion of the Middle East. I’m going to turn over to Tom very quickly because we have – it’s late in time because of weather – to do the full introductions of each of our speakers. I wish to express my great appreciation to each of them. There are a couple good and old friends on this panel and I greatly appreciate their attendance and thank you all for coming and now let me introduce to you Dr. Tom Mattair, the executive director of the Middle East Policy Council. THOMAS R. MATTAIR, Executive Director, Middle East Policy Council; author, Global Security Watch – Iran: A Reference Handbook Thank you, Frank. Welcome, everyone. Thank you for coming in the rain. We chose this title because we were having a conversation with a former assistant secretary of state talking about the difference between American policy during the 20th century and the 21st century, and his remark was that in the 20th century we were viewed as a reliable security partner but in the 21st century we are viewed as a problem to be managed. So we’ve selected people who are very knowledgeable about various countries in the Middle East and the views of their leaders as well as their publics and I think we can cover this very well. Let me briefly introduce them. There are much more significant ample bios here on the invitation but I can give you the highlights of – of our speakers. Dr. James Zogby is the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, a Washington, D.C., organization which serves as a political and policy research arm of the Arab American community. He has a long history of activism in the Arab American community in the United States and is – has played an important role in the affairs of the Democratic Party, and he’s a senior advisor with the polling firm of Zogby International, founded and directed by his brother, John Zogby. And he seemed a natural choice today because his brand-new book is appearing either this week or – and it’s called “Arab Voices: What They’re Saying to the U.S. and Why It Matters,” and it’s based on many, many trips to the Middle East and meetings with leaders and publics and understanding the results of polls that have been taken about how we are perceived and what – and what they perceive is the major problems in our – in their relations with us. So we’re glad to have him. We also have Dr. Amin Tarzi, who is the director of Middle East Studies at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, previously with Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty’s regional analysis team focusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan. And he has spent time at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and at the Emirate Center for Strategic Studies and Research, where I spend some time, and is the author of a couple of important books. One’s called “Taliban and the Crisis in Afghanistan,” published by Harvard University Press in 2008, and another called “The Iranian Puzzle Piece: Understanding Iran in the Global Context,” published by MCU Press last year. We also have Dr. Leon Hadar, research fellow in foreign policies at the Cato Institute. He is the former U.N. bureau chief for the Jerusalem Post and the current Washington correspondent for Singapore Business Times and blogs regularly on the Huffington Post and is published in most of the – most important newspapers and magazines in this country. And he is the author of “Sandstorm: Policy Failure in the Middle East,” published by Palgrave Macmillan in 1995, and many other works, and has taught at American University and at the University of Maryland and is a graduate of Hebrew University and has a Master’s from Columbia and a Ph.D. from American University. And our fourth speaker is Jon Alterman– Dr. Jon Alterman who’s the director and senior fellow of Middle East program at Center for Strategic and International Studies, also in Washington, and before that was a member of the policy planning staff in the State Department and a special assistant to the assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs. He’s a member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel, served as an expert advisor to the Iraq Study Group, teaches Middle Eastern politics at Johns Hopkins and at George Washington, and before entering government served at the U.S. Institute of Peace in the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and is the author of a number of books and is a Ph.D. from Harvard University. So that is our panel. I’m Thomas Mattair. I’m the executive director of the organization and I will moderate it. And we’re glad to see you and I think we will start with Amin Tarzi. AMIN TARZI, Director, Middle East Studies, Marine Corps University Good morning. First and foremost, I want to thank the Middle East Policy Council for extending this invitation so I could leave our swamp and come to this great city of Washington, and it’s a pleasure to be here and before I say anything else I want to make a disclaimer. I do not speak here for the United States Marine Corps or any U.S. government agency. I’m speaking solely as a researcher and as in a capacity as a professor. I teach there at the Marine Corps University. So I just want to make that clear. I’m not speaking here on behalf of DOD or anybody within the U.S. government. And I just learned that Mattair and I were kind of colleagues at one point without ever meeting each other. So that’s – that’s the Middle East for you. Sometimes you’re colleagues and you don’t even meet each other. It’s a small world. I want to begin today our discussion on the title. Now I know where the origin of the title is. When I read the title, as someone who – and I have – as you can see from my name, my origin is from that part of the world that we call the Middle East – I’m still not sure middle of what desert but we all – you know, I’m a former Marine as well so I cannot wear two hats. I’m – I don’t like hyphenation. I’m an American. But whatever I am I’m not – you know, my name gives away my background and I’m very proud of that. I’m not going to hide that name. So I may have an opinion of both of those sides and one, you know, both academically – I got my Ph.D. on Middle East studies. I don’t know if that was a great idea but I did it anyway – and I worked with two Middle Eastern countries. You heard about UAE but, five years, I was a political advisor to the government of Saudi Arabia on issues of Middle East, specifically Iran. So those perspectives have kind of made me reflect more, if I would, semantically about the title, so I’ll start with the title. And I’m not saying, by the way, that we should not discuss the Middle East or look at the Middle East as something that cannot be discussed or understood. But what I will try to do is – and I’m actually going to borrow a line from a former professor of mine by the name of Edward Said – most of you may know him – he, unfortunately, passed away; he was at Columbia – in his famous book, “Orientalism”. I think by looking at, you know, Middle East perspectives but from our perspective – here, we’re all from the West. We represent the West. We live in the West. But we are talking about the Middle East.
Recommended publications
  • U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress
    U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress Ronald O'Rourke Specialist in Naval Affairs Michael Moodie Assistant Director and Senior Specialist in Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Updated February 24, 2020 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R44891 U.S. Role in the World: Background and Issues for Congress Summary The U.S. role in the world refers to the overall character, purpose, or direction of U.S. participation in international affairs and the country’s overall relationship to the rest of the world. The U.S. role in the world can be viewed as establishing the overall context or framework for U.S. policymakers for developing, implementing, and measuring the success of U.S. policies and actions on specific international issues, and for foreign countries or other observers for interpreting and understanding U.S. actions on the world stage. While descriptions of the U.S. role in the world since the end of World War II vary in their specifics, it can be described in general terms as consisting of four key elements: global leadership; defense and promotion of the liberal international order; defense and promotion of freedom, democracy, and human rights; and prevention of the emergence of regional hegemons in Eurasia. The issue for Congress is whether the U.S. role in the world is changing, and if so, what implications this might have for the United States and the world. A change in the U.S. role could have significant and even profound effects on U.S. security, freedom, and prosperity. It could significantly affect U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Andrew J. Bacevich
    ANDREW J. BACEVICH Department of International Relations Boston University 154 Bay State Road Boston, Massachusetts 02215 Telephone (617) 358-0194 email: [email protected] CURRENT POSITION Boston University Professor of History and International Relations EDUCATION Princeton University, Ph.D. American Diplomatic History, 1982 Princeton University, M.A. American History, 1977 United States Military Academy, West Point, B.S., 1969 FELLOWSHIPS The American Academy in Berlin Berlin Prize Fellow, 2004 The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Visiting Fellow of Strategic Studies, 1992-1993 The John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University National Security Fellow, 1987-1988 Council on Foreign Relations, New York International Affairs Fellow, 1984-1985 PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS Boston University Director, Center for International Relations, 1998-2005 The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Professorial Lecturer; Executive Director, Foreign Policy Institute, 1993-1998 School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Professorial Lecturer, Department of Political Science, 1995-1997 United States Military Academy, West Point Assistant Professor, Department of History, 1977-1980 1 PUBLICATIONS Books and Monographs Washington Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War. New York: Metropolitan Books (2010); audio edition (2010). The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism. New York: Metropolitan Books (2008); audio edition (2008); Chinese and German editions (2009); Polish edition (2010); Japanese, Korean, and Turkish editions (forthcoming). The Long War: A New History of U. S. National Security Policy since World War II. New York: Columbia University Press (2007). (editor). The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War. New York: Oxford University Press (2005); History Book Club selection; 2005 Lannan Literary Award for an Especially Notable Book; Chinese edition (2008).
    [Show full text]
  • H-Diplo | ISSF POLICY Series America and the World—2017 and Beyond
    H-Diplo | ISSF POLICY Series America and the World—2017 and Beyond Fractured: Trump’s Foreign Policy after Two Years Essay by David C. Hendrickson, Colorado College Published on 29 January 2019 | issforum.org Editor: Diane Labrosse Web and Production Editor: George Fujii Shortlink: http://tiny.cc/PR-1-5BN Permalink: http://issforum.org/roundtables/policy/1-5BN-fractured PDF URL: http://issforum.org/ISSF/PDF/Policy-Roundtable-1-5BN.pdf he presidency of Donald Trump is the strangest act in American history; unprecedented in form, in style an endless sequence of improvisations and malapropisms.1 But in substance there is continuity, probably much more than is customarily recognized. It is hard to recognize the continuity, amid the Tdaily meltd owns (and biennial shutdowns), but it exists. In large measure Trump has been a Republican president, carrying out a Republican agenda. His attack on the regulatory agencies follows a Republican script. His call for a prodigious boost to military spending, combined with sharp cuts in taxes, has been the Republican program since the time of Ronald Reagan’s presidency. His climate skepticism corresponds with that of Republican leaders in Congress. On trade and immigration, Trump has departed most radically from Bush Republicanism, but even in that regard Trump’s policies harken back to older traditions in the Grand Old Party. He is different in character and temperament from every Republican predecessor as president, yet has attached himself to much of the traditional Republican program.2 It is in foreign policy, the subject of this essay, where Trump’s role has been most disorienting, his performance ‘up-ending’ in substance and method.
    [Show full text]
  • The Abraham Accords: Paradigm Shift Or Realpolitik? by Tova Norlen and Tamir Sinai
    The Abraham Accords: Paradigm Shift or Realpolitik? By Tova Norlen and Tamir Sinai Executive Summary This paper analyzes the motives and calculations of Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates— the signatories of the Abraham Accords—which were signed on the White House Lawn on September 15, 2020. The Accords normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel and Bahrain. The agreements signed by Israel with two Gulf States symbolizes a major shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics, which have long been characterized by the refusal of Arab Gulf states to engage in talks with Israel. However, the possible larger consequences of the agreement cannot be fully understood without considering the complex set of domestic and foreign policy causes that prompted the parties to come to the negotiating table. By signing the agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu was able to avoid the controversial West Bank annexation plan, which, if executed, could prove disastrous for him both at home and abroad. On the other hand, the UAE, while officially claiming credit for preventing the annexation, is now able to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, with great advantages both to its economy and military security. For the Trump administration, the Abraham Accord represents the President’s first real foreign policy achievement, a victory especially welcome so close to the U.S. elections. This will be popular with the president’s conservative, pro-Israel base, and an achievement that Democrats, Biden in particular, will have difficulties critiquing. Geopolitically, the deal strengthens the informal anti-Iran alliance in the region, increasing pressure on Tehran and strengthening U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Narrative Traditions in Western Foreign Policy Analysis
    A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of Warwick Permanent WRAP URL: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/91976 Copyright and reuse: This thesis is made available online and is protected by original copyright. Please scroll down to view the document itself. Please refer to the repository record for this item for information to help you to cite it. Our policy information is available from the repository home page. For more information, please contact the WRAP Team at: [email protected] warwick.ac.uk/lib-publications Losing Turkey? Narrative traditions in Western foreign policy analysis by Johanna Tuulia Vuorelma A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Politics and International Studies University of Warwick, Department of Politics and International Studies November 2016 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ___________________________________________________________ 6 Declaration _________________________________________________________________ 8 Abstract ___________________________________________________________________ 9 Chapter 1 – Introduction ______________________________________________________ 10 Research question _________________________________________________________ 33 Research statement and contribution ___________________________________________ 33 Thesis structure ___________________________________________________________ 38 Chapter 2 – The idea of the West _______________________________________________ 40 Introduction _____________________________________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • A Diplomatic Road to Damascus: Th E Benefi Ts of U.S
    *ğĕĖġĖğĕĖğĥ 3065*/( 10-*$:3&1035 A Diplomatic Road to Damascus: Th e Benefi ts of U.S. Engagement with Syria Leon T. Hadar* October 2007 &YFDVUJWF4VNNBSZ In the spring of 2007, the Bush administration the Bush administration’s neoconservative propa- began to signal a welcome and overdue reversal ganda style. of its policy of isolating and threatening Syria. A sensible U.S. policy would involve co-opt- Since 2002 the president and his advisors have sent ing instead of isolating Syria. Constructive rela- mixed signals to Syrian President Bashar al-As- tions between Washington and Damascus could sad’s regime. Consistent with the advice of those prove useful in advancing U.S. interests on a who advocate regime change in Damascus, the number of fronts, including the future of Iraq, the Bush administration has provided assistance to long-term prospects for a viable state in neighbor- Syrian opposition groups and imposed sanctions ing Lebanon, and progress toward peace between on Syria designed to compel the Assad govern- Israelis and Palestinians. If the United States and ment to reverse course on Lebanon and its support Syria agree to put their common interests ahead for Palestinian terrorist groups. Th e Bush admin- of ideology, it could help to move the regional istration has portrayed Syria as part of an Iran-led balance of power away from Iran. Ongoing dia- regional coalition, and administration offi cials logue is also needed to ensure that Syria continues have depicted the Syrian Ba’ath regime as a lead- its cooperation with U.S. government agencies in ing regional opponent of its “Freedom Agenda” the search for al-Qaeda and its allies.
    [Show full text]
  • Clinton Administration's Response to China's Human Rights Record: at the Half-Way Point, the Daniel C
    Tulsa Journal of Comparative and International Law Volume 3 | Issue 1 Article 2 9-1-1995 Clinton Administration's Response to China's Human Rights Record: At the Half-Way Point, The Daniel C. Turack Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.law.utulsa.edu/tjcil Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Daniel C. Turack, Clinton Administration's Response to China's Human Rights Record: At the Half-Way Point, The, 3 Tulsa J. Comp. & Int'l L. 1 (1995). Available at: http://digitalcommons.law.utulsa.edu/tjcil/vol3/iss1/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by TU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Tulsa Journal of Comparative and International Law by an authorized administrator of TU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TULSA JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE & INTERNATIONAL LAW Volume 3, No. 1 Fall 1995 THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S RESPONSE TO CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD: AT THE HALF-WAY POINT Daniel C. Turack* I. INTRODUCTION In a recent book on cultural relativism and universal human rights, Jack Donnelly succinctly stated that: [I]t is often claimed that there are a variety of distinctive and defensible conceptions of human rights that merit our respect and toleration even if we disagree with them. One standard form of such arguments has been the claim that there are 'three worlds' of human rights. The 'Western' (First World) approach, it is asserted, emphasizes civil and political rights and the right to private proper- ty. The 'socialist' (Second World) approach emphasizes economic and social rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Shari'ah Law As National Security Threat? Cyra Akila Choudhury
    The University of Akron IdeaExchange@UAkron Akron Law Review Akron Law Journals June 2015 Shari'ah Law as National Security Threat? Cyra Akila Choudhury Please take a moment to share how this work helps you through this survey. Your feedback will be important as we plan further development of our repository. Follow this and additional works at: http://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/akronlawreview Part of the Conflict of Laws Commons, Family Law Commons, International Law Commons, Law and Race Commons, National Security Law Commons, Religion Law Commons, and the State and Local Government Law Commons Recommended Citation Choudhury, Cyra Akila (2013) "Shari'ah Law as National Security Threat?," Akron Law Review: Vol. 46 : Iss. 1 , Article 2. Available at: http://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/akronlawreview/vol46/iss1/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Akron Law Journals at IdeaExchange@UAkron, the institutional repository of The nivU ersity of Akron in Akron, Ohio, USA. It has been accepted for inclusion in Akron Law Review by an authorized administrator of IdeaExchange@UAkron. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Choudhury: Shari'ah Law ARTICLE 2 - CHOUDHURY (DO NOT DELETE) 4/4/2013 4:12 PM SHARI’AH LAW AS NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT? Cyra Akila Choudhury* I. Introduction ......................................................................... 49 II. Much Ado About Nothing?: State Anti-Shari’ah Laws ...... 52 A. State Anti-Shari’ah Bills ............................................... 54 B. The Architects of the New Threat ................................. 61 III. Family Law as Fifth Column: Shari’ah Creep in U.S. Courts? ................................................................................. 65 A. Marriage ........................................................................ 66 B. Divorce .......................................................................... 69 C.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Policy Toward Israel: the Politics, Sociology, Economics & Strategy of Commitment
    United States Policy Toward Israel: The Politics, Sociology, Economics & Strategy of Commitment Submitted for Ph.D. in International Relations at the London School of Economics & Political Science Elizabeth Stephens 2003 UMI Number: U613349 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U613349 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 C ontents Page Abstract 4-5 Chapter 1 The Special Relationship 6 -3 6 Chapter 2 Framing American Foreign Policy 37 - 86 Chapter 3 American Political Culture & Foreign Policy 87 - 131 Chapter 4 The Johnson Administration and U.S. Policy Toward Israel 132 - 185 Chapter 5 Nixon, Kissinger and U.S. Policy Toward Israel 186 - 249 Chapter 6 Reagan, the Neo-Conservatives and Israel 250 - 307 Chapter 7 Bush, the Gulf War and Israel 308 - 343 Chapter 8 Framing American Foreign Policy in the New World Order 344 - 375 Conclusions 376 - 379 Appendix A U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 380-382 Appendix B The Rogers Plan 383 Appendix C United Nations Security Council Resolution 338 384 Appendix D The Camp David Accords 385 -391 Bibliography 392-412 1 Hr£TS £ F 82.1 / Acknowledgements The writing of this thesis would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my supervisor Geoffrey Stem, Senior Lecturer at the London School of Economics.
    [Show full text]
  • The Abraham Accords: Paradigm Shift Or Realpolitik? by Tova Norlen and Tamir Sinai
    The Abraham Accords: Paradigm Shift or Realpolitik? By Tova Norlen and Tamir Sinai Executive Summary This paper analyzes the motives and calculations of Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates— the signatories of the Abraham Accords—which were signed on the White House Lawn on September 15, 2020. The Accords normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel and Bahrain. The agreements signed by Israel with two Gulf States symbolizes a major shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics, which have long been characterized by the refusal of Arab Gulf states to engage in talks with Israel. However, the possible larger consequences of the agreement cannot be fully understood without considering the complex set of domestic and foreign policy causes that prompted the parties to come to the negotiating table. By signing the agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu was able to avoid the controversial West Bank annexation plan, which, if executed, could prove disastrous for him both at home and abroad. On the other hand, the UAE, while officially claiming credit for preventing the annexation, is now able to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, with great advantages both to its economy and military security. For the Trump administration, the Abraham Accord represents the President’s first real foreign policy achievement, a victory especially welcome so close to the U.S. elections. This will be popular with the president’s conservative, pro-Israel base, and an achievement that Democrats, Biden in particular, will have difficulties critiquing. Geopolitically, the deal strengthens the informal anti-Iran alliance in the region, increasing pressure on Tehran and strengthening U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • View Digital Edition
    Imitating Israel The Rich Secede Conservative Kerouac Elitism & Its Enemies ANDREW J. BACEVICH MIKE LOFGREN ROBERT DEAN LURIE SAMUEL W. GOLDMAN SEPTEMBER 2012 What’s Exceptional About America? IDEAS OVER IDEOLOGY • PRINCIPLES OVER PARTY What’s Exceptional About America? RICHARD GAMBLE When News Becomes theamericanconservative.com This Month Vol. 11, No. 9, SEPTEMBER 2012 8 12 49 ARTICLES COVER STORY ARTS & LETTERS 16 How We Became Israel 12 American Exceptionalisms 42 Twilight of the Elites: America Peace means conict for Federalism, not empire, makes Aer Meritocracy by Tel Aviv—and us. us unique Christopher Hayes ANDREW J. BACEVICH RICHARD GAMBLE SAMUEL W. GOLDMAN 19 Revolt of the Rich FRONT LINES 45 e Political Philosophy of e super-auent secede from Alexander Hamilton by Michael America 6 Dudes shirk parenthood Federici MIKE LOFGREN ROD DREHER GEORGE W. CAREY 24 LePage Against the Machine 7 Syria’s gang war 47 ey Eat Puppies, Don’t ey? Maine’s Tea Party governor WILLIAM S. LIND by Christopher Buckley SCOTT GALUPO MICHAEL BRENDAN DOUGHERTY 8 Alexander Cockburn, RIP 28 Battle of Columbus RON UNZ 49 e Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About “Fast and Furious” gets a sequel 9 Obama recruits for Republicans Coming Conicts and the Battle ED WARNER JORDAN BLOOM Against Fate by Robert D. 31 e Right & the Drug War COMMENTARY Kaplan Will conservatives embrace WILLIAM ANTHONY HAY legalization? 5 We are all isolationists now ANTHONY GREGORY 51 e Passion of Bradley Manning: 11 Al-Qaeda’s master plan e Story of the Suspect Behind 34 Killer Culture PATRICK J.
    [Show full text]
  • Middle East Report.Indd
    Center for International Relations Center for Middle East Report Afghanistan Iran Iraq Israel Lebanon Syria Turkey elcome to International Affairs Forum’s second special publication, Middle East Re- port. We have tried, and I think succeeded, in fulfilling our mission, which is to bring an all-partisan, more inclusive approach to internationalW discussion and debate. Included are contribu- tions from authors based on four continents, and covering a wide range of issues either directly concerning, or af- fected by, developments in the Middle East. I would, as always, like to thank our contributors and those who took time out of their busy schedules to be inter- viewed for the publication. And I would also like to say a spe- cial thanks to IA Forum staff members Leigh Marshall and Dr. Ghada Mohamed for their efforts in bringing together such interesting and diverse material. Introduction Jason Miks Introduction To help fulfill another part of our mission, which is to facilitate the exchange of ideas, we’d also like to encour- age readers to post their comments and responses at the following: http://www.ia-forum.org/content/pdflinkfeed- back.cfm?pdfid=3 I hope you find the publication as interesting to read as it has been to put together. Jason Miks Managing Editor International Affairs Forum Greater Middle East What the West is doing wrong An interview with Aaron David Miller 5 Globalization and the political economy of reform Anoush Ehteshami 7 Improving education in the Middle East An interview with Magdy El-Kady 9 Policies, not liberties, at heart of Muslim resentment An interview with Michael Scheuer 11 Cooperation, compromise key to tackling water shortages An interview with Shlomi Dinar 15 U.S.
    [Show full text]