Time for Arabs to ‘Reduce Dependency’ on the United States (China Daily,
People’s Republic of China)
Given the changes taking place in the Arab world and the way the interests
of Arab states were harmed by the results of the Iraq War, is it time for Arab
countries to start distancing themselves from Washington? This editorial from
China’s state-run China Daily advises Arabs that in a fast changing
world, they would be better off ending their traditional dependence on America.
There is a general impression around the world that Arab
peoples do not like the United States. At a national level, it could be said
that Arab countries both “hate” and “like” America.
Their interests are not completely aligned
Most observers generally believe that the U.S. has five
major interests in the Middle East: first, guaranteeing Israel’s security; second,
making sure oil supplies and prices are stable; third, cracking down on
terrorism; fourth, preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and becoming
a regional hegemon; and fifth, spreading the values
of democracy and human rights.
For their part, the key concern of Arab countries is to have
a peaceful and stable external environment which would allow them to boost economic
development and revive the wider “Arab nation.” There are times that Arab nations
and the United States have common interests. For example, to guarantee a steady
oil price, the United States uses its powerful naval fleet to safeguard navigation
in the Persian Gulf, and since many Arab countries rely on the petrol-dollar,
they are more than willing to see convoys of U.S. ships. And with Arab states
concerned about Iran’s nuclear program, they are very supportive of strict U.S.
sanctions against Iran and even the use of military force to threaten it.
But there are also deep contradictions between America and
the Arab countries. One is the way the United States invariably stands alongside
Israel, whereas most Arab countries support Palestine. America’s unprincipled
protection of Israel aggravates many Arabs.
On other occasions, Arab nations and the United States
appear to share interests but in fact, they do not. The latest example was the
Iraq War launched in 2003. Under the pretexts that the Saddam regime possessed
weapons of mass destruction and supported terrorism, the United States invaded
Iraq, with the tacit support of most Arab countries.
But after the Saddam government was overthrown, Iraq failed
to achieve stability and development. After the Iraq War, the United States oversaw
a democratic election in Iraq and established a Shiite administration. This was
a great disappointed to Arab states which are for the most part dominated by
Sunnis.
Even Saudi Arabia considers the Iraq War a complete failure.
Because bound up with the war was America’s initiative for a “Greater Middle East.”
In the meantime, Iraq’s democratic “model” is extremely fragile, completely
unconvincing and has failed to result in any positive effects.
Reducing dependence on the United States
Regarding Syria, relations between the U.S. and Arab
countries again have shown two sides. The Arab League originally proposed the
“Arab peace initiative,” which was bad for Syria President Bashar
al-Assad and almost completely in sync with the narrative of the West. However,
at the recently held Arab League Summit, the tone of most attendees became more
conciliatory, supporting the mission to find a peaceful resolution by Kofi
Annan, special envoy of the U.N. and Arab League. This is a step back from the
standpoint of the West. The Gulf countries continue to work closely with the
United States to overthrow the Assad government, but other Arab states don’t
want to see external intervention result in chaos in Syria.
Right now, Western countries led by the United States want
to topple the Assad government, but not by themselves. Arab countries want the
international community, particularly the United States, to pressure Syria, but
not directly intervene militarily. This situation is actually the result of a chronic
problem: Arab countries lack an independent diplomatic strategy.
Posted by Worldmeets.US
Regarding the structure of the Middle East, Arab states have
a common rival in Iran, and therefore they need the help of the U.S. to contain
Iran. Meanwhile, Arab nations also have a common enemy in Israel, and therefore
they are dissatisfied with a U.S. that always takes Israel's side.
This “like-hate” relationship with the U.S. will continue in
the short term. But 2011 was full of changes and opportunity. The United States
killed Osama bin Laden and withdrew its forces from Iraq; and its dependence on
Middle East oil dropped to less than 15 percent of its annual imports. In
addition, the tremendous changes taking place in Arab states greatly reduced American
enthusiasm for exporting democracy to the region. The interests and presence of
the U.S. in the Middle East are gradually diminishing. This is therefore a good
time for Arab countries to foster their own independent diplomatic strategies
and gradually reduce their dependence on the United States.
