Abstract
Examines challenges facing U.S. democratization efforts in the Middle East.
Description
For decades, keeping friendly despots in power was a principal tenet of American Middle East policy, but in November 2003 President George W. Bush announced that the U.S. would adopt an ambitious new policy to encourage democratic development in the Arab world. Although public calls for political reform had been growing within the Middle East, Bush's initiative was met with wariness from political leaders and civil society alike. U.S. political support for democratization efforts in the Middle East grew considerably after September 11th, however a host of challenges stood in the way of liberalization programs, such as stagnant economies, conservative social policies, and an old guard leadership determined to hold onto power. In this episode of Great Decisions, the Foreign Policy Association's World Leadership Forum hosts a panel on democracy in Arab states. What can the United States do to encourage democratization in the region without sparking a backlash, and just how far will the U.S. go to promote democratic government, particularly if it goes against American oil and strategic interests? Hosted by Peter Krogh, and featuring businesswoman Hutham S. Olayan, Ambassador and Middle East Institute President Edward S. Walker, Professor Shibley Telhami of the Univeristy of Maryland, and Isobel Coleman, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
