When speaking about the Arab uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and beyond, the language used here in the U.S. is euphoric. Expressions like "nothing will ever be the same again" and "the existing order is being swept away" are common. But when the conversation comes home, the exuberant rhetoric is pushed aside and hard-nosed practicality becomes the order of the day. "The president had no choice," the pundits said, "he had to veto. Republicans would have pounced on him and the pro-Israel crowd would have made his life miserable." This is the accepted wisdom.
It is, of course, always easier to discuss what other countries and their leaders must do, than it is to face up to the hard realities of what must be done in our own backyard. At the same time, though, it is a bit brazen, and even bizarre, that we can be so blind to the stark contradiction between what we advocate for others and what we fail to do for ourselves. But this is what is taking place.
Right now in commentaries the Bush crowd is crowing "we were right," finding new justification in their past promotion of democracy -- ignoring, of course, the utter hypocrisy of their overall approach to the region. They gave lip-service to democracy, to be sure, but then they: led America into two deadly and failed wars (both of which they wrongly projected would usher in democratic change); turned a blind eye as Israel ravaged Palestinians and Lebanese; and instituted the wide-spread use of profiling, prolonged detentions without due process, and prisoner abuse -- all of which they pressured Arab allies to support.
The net result was a roiling of Arab public opinion and a delegitimizing of some Arab leaders, who had befriended America, making them more vulnerable and less receptive to proceed on the path of reform. Then, after strong electoral performances by hard-line religious parties in several countries, the Bush administration, not liking the outcome, shelved their democracy rhetoric.
More disturbing than this irritatingly predictable neo-conservative effort to rewrite history and hijack the Arab uprising, is the fact that many liberals can find no more creative response to these Arab uprisings than to become latter-day "neo-cons," themselves.
All this posturing ignores several uncomfortable truths. America's favorable ratings across the Arab World are back to Bush-era lows and the post-Cairo optimism that America would change its approach to the region has all but evaporated. America, it bears repeating, is not unpopular among many Arabs because we have supported their leaders, rather it is some Arab leaders who have become unpopular because they have supported our policies. We were, in a real sense, not in the game, having long ago dealt ourselves out. In their efforts to make change in their own countries, Tunisians and Egyptians weren't looking to us. This was their movement, not ours.
There is a real danger that in this moment of crisis we will either learn the wrong lessons, or learn no lessons at all. What is required now is to recognize the degree to which our failed policies of the past have alienated Arab public opinion, undercut our stated values, and put at risk those who sought to be our friends.
At a critical moment in the midst of the Vietnam War, Martin Luther King delivered his "Declaration of Independence from the War in Vietnam." In this speech he said "I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values... A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of our past and present policies." This challenge is as true today as it was then.
Unless our political leaders can put aside "politics as usual" and end their callous disregard for the suffering of Palestinians; unless leaders are willing to challenge their political fears and do what is right, instead of what is convenient; unless we can stand up against the Islamophobes who threaten to tear apart the fabric of our nation; unless we can restore our commitment to fundamental freedoms and constitutional protections; and unless we can stop ignoring Arab concerns and truly listen to what Arab voices are telling us about their needs and aspirations -- we will continue to operate clumsily, and, at times, brutally on the wrong side of history.
As Arabs seek change at home, the challenge we face is to question how we can bring real change to America and to the way America deals with the Arab World and its people. This is what Barack Obama promised when he said that he would lead the effort to "change Washington" and, in the process, "change America and change the world." This is still the change we need. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened yet.
Dr. James J. Zogby is the author of Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us, and Why it Matters (Palgrave Macmillan, October 2010) and the founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a Washington, D.C.-based organization which serves as the political and policy research arm of the Arab American community.
That's the big thing the Palestinians cannot wrap their heads around. They are going to have to settle. Their dreams of seeing Israel destroyed are not going to become reality. They are not going to take over modern-day Israel. The best deal they're going to get is the deal that's in front of them. They simply do not have any leverage.
I don't think there has ever been a clear indication of where Israel sees its eastern border.
from the revolution. You're too mad. Kind of blind. Interesting how perpetual anger dumbs down rhetoric.
The Geneva makes no special provisions that allow moving civilians onto occupied territory legal under any circumstances. Israel is flagrantly violating international law, and gaming the peace in order to cover their outrageous growth of the illegal settlements.
Plus, I want them to explain humanetics in their own words as their campaign speech. Once elcted if they don't keep their end of the bargain, they're out.
Lacking this men will just keep dreaming up ways to make it look like individual plans work. If no one knew any better we might all perish. Lots of people all around the world now know better. That, my friends, will at some point prove to be the game changer.
Democracy is coming to the world. The implications bode darkly for the status quo.
Roll the dice. Let the pieces fall. Smart money is that US and Israeli neo-imperialism and colonizations are in trouble.
Oil prices are a sure indicator that change is coming and let us hope when the smoke clears from the oil fields the smart, clean energy meme is identified as the victor.
“Obama cannot be trusted. We knew his promises were lies. The time has come to spit in the face of the Americans.â€
"...he is no longer wanted in the Middle East and that he can go to hell"
Making sure every cent that Israel spends on the settlements is money down a hole would work wonders
Currently the Israelis are enjoying a no-lose situation in which they are expecting the US/international community to subsidize any settlements lost after a solution is reached - and they're probably looking for dollars on the penny
What in the article "is fomenting revolution"?
I don't see it.
UNDERLINGS/AGENTS of the Foreign County: Israel.
Isn't it about time to follow in the footsteps of MLK who declared a long time ago
"Independence from the War in Vietnam" and declare
"Independence from the War
by the Zionist Jews of Europe/Russia/America against the Natives of Palestine".
People of the Middle-East (except the Europeans/Russians/Americans) are already calling President Obama:
The "Black Bush" !