By Fareed Zakaria
I couldn't help but notice a speech this week by a man who has all but disappeared from many of our radars.
In a rare public speech, former President George W. Bush said: "America does not get to choose if a freedom revolution should begin or end in the Middle East. It only gets to choose what side it is on ... America's message should ring clear and strong: We stand for freedom."
Over the years, and long before the start of the Arab Spring, Bush has been consistent in pressing his freedom agenda in Africa and the Middle East — in fact, the world over.
It's an optimistic conservatism that contrasts strongly with the pessimism of many other conservatives.
Take for example Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who last November called the Arab Spring an "Islamic, anti-Western, anti-liberal, anti-Israeli, undemocratic wave."
The irony is that in his deep suspicion about the Arab Spring, Bibi has a strange bedfellow — the Saudi monarchy.
It's not often that you see Israel and Saudi Arabia agree on policy, but the two share a general fear of the upheavals in the Arab world.
So much so, in the Saudis' case, that they recently hosted a conference to bolster the very opposite of modern democracy: monarchies.
Five Saudi neighbors were invited to Riyadh — Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Each is a monarchy, and each a member of the group known as the GCC, or the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The Saudis' hope is to turn that group into a more closely-knit federation — something like the European Union, they say. They feel a union of monarchies would serve as a bulwark against the region's turmoil and democracy.
But it turned out that for now, the GCC agreed to disagree. You see, many of the smaller members fear Saudi domination.
So what were the Saudis thinking?
Well, Riyadh has a complicated role in the Arab Spring.
On the one hand it is arming Syria's opposition. But one could argue that intervention is driven by sectarian concerns: it wants to support a Sunni opposition fighting an Alawite leader. The Saudis see the Alawites as basically Shia. And Syria's leader, Bashar al-Assad, is also supported by Iran, the great Persian, Shia rival to Saudi Arabia.
In most other instances, Riyadh has essentially used its deep pockets to try to contain the Arab Spring.
In Bahrain, it sent thousands of troops to help crush a rebellion. In Jordan and Morocco, there are reports it is bribing the kings to make fewer concessions to democracy, for fear of the example they would set to other monarchies.
At home, the Saudis dole out patronage to gain support. They have given tens of billions of dollars in assistance to the unemployed and they’ve increased salaries of soldiers and public servants. Gasoline costs some 50 cents a gallon there, an eighth of what Americans pay.
The Saudi story is, of course, more nuanced than a simple story of carrot and stick. The monarchy was popular; it was even before its latest round of largesse. And Saudi Arabia is perhaps unique in the Arab world in that the general population is more conservative than its leadership. So while Riyadh may be ridiculed in the West for not allowing women to drive, it must also weigh the potential backlash from its far right if it abruptly changes course on social policies.
But at some stage, demographic and economic changes in Saudi Arabia will force it to move with the times. Even oil wealth cannot insulate you from modernity forever.
Arab democracies will be messy, complex and even nasty at times. But they will have the legitimacy that comes with public participation, which is inevitable in today's world.
And that's why in the long run, Netanyahu is wrong ... and George Bush will probably be proven right.
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"Democracy" in much of the Islamic world, and especially in its Arab sections, appears to mean the replacement of corrupt militarist and/or royalist governments with new leaders elected by poverty-stricken and illiterate mobs of fanatics to whom the concepts of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Women's Rights (for example) are alien and hated concepts. Perhaps we are more likely to see Turkey morph further into theocracy than we are to see Egypt, Syria, or Libya evolve into real democracies.
Eugene, the very same phenomenon is happening in the USA right now. People may well vote for candidates this round who seek to reduce freedoms for many people and continue to prevent basic civil rights for others. Illiteracy and backwardness are the other side of the pendulum and we're swinging back into the dark ages. Witness the popularity of shows about bigfoot, ghosts and spiritual mediums. Get your crystals ready because your healthcare is about to dry up too.
Right, you're talking about the Taliban, who "swinging back into the dark ages" – try to turn the clock back, once they regain power in Afghanistan. In fact the Taliban have been educated in religious seminaries and madrassas (religious schools) in Pakistan – mostly paid for by money from Saudi Arabia – which preached a hard line form of Sunni Islam.
Fareed, you said, "And Saudi Arabia is perhaps unique in the Arab world in that the general population is more conservative than its leadership". Just how wide spread is the phenomenon among ordinary Saudis? Perhaps just a small circle of clerics?
Fareed, you said, "Israel and Saudi Arabia agree on policy, but the two share a general fear of the upheavals in the Arab world". Indeed the "unholy alliance" between these two antagonists is getting so cozy that it did have impressed Tehran. Iran has shown itseslf quite co-operative lately by resuming nuclear talks and allowing IAEA-watchdogs into its country.
DEVolution instead of EVolution
Wow, I know we are talking about Saudi's here but I couldnt help but notice you just perfectly defined the Republican Party. That is really too bad. As for the Saudi's, its probably better for their mental health that most people ignore what typically goes on there and what goes on behind the scenes politically. Ignorance is bliss.
The only true modern democracy is one that is based on annual personal tax contributions, where each tax dollar you pay is like a common share of a corporation, and where anyone can run for a position on the board of governors. Unfortunately, this does not yet exist in any country , certainly none that I've heard of anyhow.
LET THE PEOPLE WHO PAY HAVE THE SAY !
It surprises me that a democrat would use the name, "Derka Derka." Do you know what these two words were used for? If you did you probably would change the name, less you fall out of graces with the Takers of the democratic party.
That method already breeds multiple use of the same dollar. Think about it I am not going to explain it and its very obvious.
@ basucks
Why do you assume Derka Derkais a democrat? I don’t know if he is or isn’t but I agree completely with his statement and I am not a democrat. Just something to think about.
@ ✠ RZ ✠
There's a word for that and its not Democracy... its called a Plutocracy.
"Experimental Democracy" has failed in India. An experiment that was being shoved down India's throat by western countries too eager to propagate their own values on a country that was trying to decolonize itself while trying to shed the communist skin of being a Soviet ally. India was thus trapped. What has become evident now is that this "Experimental Democracy" has marginalized the country. The marginalized groups of the country – Dalits and ‘backward’ castes/classes, indigenous ‘tribal’ people and religious minorities have been disenfranchised.
What are you smoking? India is a rising global power. In fact, it will be the true global superpower to rise out of Asia eventually. Why do you think the US has been working hard to build relations with the country.
What , really, would you suggest doing otherwise? Reverting to a caste and feudal system? As for marginalizing groups; yeah, that happens when people are stupid enough to vote for their "kind" instead of voting based on the issues.
What kind of a superpower (laugh) has 1.5 million soldiers hiding in trenches scared of talibans. Americans need someone to clean their toilets after them in that region. India fits the bill perfectly, so I would not get too carried away with the notion that you have. So what I am suggesting and predicting is the thesis that India has become too big too govern democratically. Before it implodes and causes problems for everyone, an orderly transition to independent states along the lines of USSR is the most probable, likely and recommended option. Denocracy has a better chance of succeeding then. Otherwise, India will eventually revert back to its communist roots whose skin it has still not shed.
I love how India's name gets dragged into a majority of discussions here on ccn. Even when the country is not even remotely connected with the article (except the author's origins). For a country which has been ruled by some foreign power for a majority of it's existence, for a country with 10+ religions, 25+ official languages, a population of 1 + billion people, being played and abused by f'in british and not to mention being located right next to two nuclear armed states, I think India is doing pretty fine, thank you. Don't compare India with USA or uk. US has been independent for over 200 years and other has been oppressing people for over 400 years.
Each country has it's own interests – If US sees India as someone to take care of Afghanistan, then India sees Afghanistan as a gateway to landlocked Central Asia.
Peace out!!
Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, all Muslim majority countries that have elected women as their leaders. That's more you can say for us.
"A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine." — Thomas Jefferson
As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.
Abraham Lincoln
Democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.
Ronald Reagan
You are so right, Zakaria does not read or see the news I do not know on what bases does he express his opnion.
Jews hate everybody. Arabs are not excluded.
Your hatred is typical. Jews lived in dungeons for decades. Now that you control the media and world governments (using your usual style of deviousness) you have a big mouth.
Return to the toilet Jew boy, where you belong.
Speaking of hating everyone, you seem to be full of hatred too. There are so much to hate and not enough time--
You, sir, are a troll. Please return to molesting billy goats crossing bridges and leave the debate to grown-ups.
i'm a jew. i only hate bigots like you. you appear to be filled with an irrational hatred and therefore your thoughts have no value.
Hello, I m arab, muslim, from tunisia, I have travelled a lot, and i can say one thing :
idiots from all over the world should be allowed to create their own country...
islamist extremists... christian warhungry biggots, zionist extremist jews, extreme capitalists...racists, fascists, ignorants, well guys you know what... they are suprisingly alike and would probably get along so very well ! I am really not kidding, it is striking how an islamist extremist and an european or american racist for exemple think.. they have the same logic and arguments !! they feed each other..
and weel "normal" jews, muslims or what ever.. we have to suffer because of you
The Christian Taliban i.e. Republican Party, has already bankrupted us in the name of God. Obama is just giving artificial life support. Give these Taliban, I mean Republican Party, another chance and you would see USA turn into Afghanistan.
Well now... I doubt the US will turn into something even close to any of the middle east countries. But, I can appreciate the extremist thinking from both sides – since I am a moderate (one of few left here in the US)... So please, carry on with your discussions against one another.
If you will, let me nockout ignorance from your head. Western style democracy will never previal in the Moslem world. Islam has its own version of democracy and moslems in the want to establish a rule of law that relies on the command of Allah, not his creastion. We choose to be slaves of allah, not his creation. Moslems should be left to their own devices, they know how to bring about peace and stablity.
Since when?!?
Plus, if a legitimately democratic country votes that their policy really is "Death to America," we don't have to spending 10 years and billions of dollars fighting them in a protracted guerilla war. We can simply launch an ICBM and order Dominos. Everything could be delivered within 30 minutes or less.
How about sending over a pizza on an ICBM?
Yep...send them a pizza, bacon and pepperoni....
Yes, because killing 100,000s of civilians is the answer. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
if we are at population overload (I read concerns of it), why not lessen the load
why not kill 100,000 just because we can
are you gonna say because its wrong, then why is it wrong
we invaded iraq based on lies, how many died there? in africa lots die at the hands of people because they could
what's wrong with killing 100,000's of people that want to kill me?
@Food Zealot
Tell that to god and his flood.
That last flood happened because we didn't do anything about evil and it spread. Killing those who want to kill is purifying. The bible says it. You just don't see preachers goin' on about it. I'm from US. I'm fine with leaving Middle East alone assuming of course they leave US alone XD
People who think like you scare the hell outta me!
noted that you are scared
now there are some real questions that seek answers, despite you being scared
RZ: The country you are looking for is probably Sweden!
Proportional representation is the right idea and Sweden's political/voting system appears to be much more respectable and effective. Comparitively speaking, anyone looking at how this works should say "Hey, that's not bad ! Why can't we do something like that? " But Sweden isn't by any means perfect and of course has it's own problems, but given our current global conditions they appear to be doing extremely well.
Good eye glennrobert !
(sp) spending -> spend
Quite frankly, I believe all this pro- and anti-democracy debate is nothing more than a thin smokescreen for what's really about to occur in the Middle East: A 'holy' war between the Sunnis and the Shias, with all the other sects little more than roadkill in between. It's going to make the Crusades look like a pillow fight, and the Muslims are going to do it to themselves.
Pass the popcorn.
I can't wait to see the results.
What an ignorant comment. If you were in front of me, I'd spit on you.
and I would move out of the way and it would hit the person behind me
so there (sticks out tongue)
lol
Not going to happen.
It's already happening on a smaller scale. Why can't it happen on a larger?
Oh Fareed, it's always wishy-washy. You say on one hand that the Saudis and Bibi agree and on the other that the Saudis fear their own Muslim Brotherhood. Which is it? Sharia only allows one answer. And somehow you believe that democracy is compatable with Islam. Sharia has only one answer for that also.
Saudi, GCC, the Muslim Brotherhood have only one way of government, Sharia. Very simple. There is no place in Sharia for democracy. These governments will not give up their monarchies, the attendance to the British Royal luncheon was a prime example.
How about you rewrite your article with some reality. Saudi is the center of the Islamic universe, even with the clock tower to take over Greenwich Mean Time. Their plan is being disrupted by oppressed people ripe for change. Those people will be slaughtered in mass genocide that Islam has carried out for centuries. Hopes of democracy in dar ul Islam is a loony neocon pipedream with PNAC guys still trying to make a buck off of it.
Iran is trying to instigate this "holy war" that you speak of by aiming their guns at Syrian women & children. You think this is funny?
I am a western muslim and I agree with you. There is no need for west to nuke them because Shia and Sunni will solve the west's problem by killing each other.
Saudi Must think Twice, what TIME means.
No one will refuse the comfortable seat, that Milks Billions of Dollars/Year in own personal Account and keep rolling it to Family members, only due to death. This is called, personal interest.
However, soon or later when the TIME comes, the personal interest will be forced out by PUBLIC INTEREST, that could serve all Saudis equally.
Ironically, the Saudi King didn't get it...right. Because of too much comfort and illogical confidence.
Unfortunately, no one can win carelessly, against TIME.
N.B.; ...a Time to Rise, ...a Time to Fail.
...the Rise and forever Rise of...? No! Never! But,...the Rise and Fall of ...? Yes! It did happen!
The demagogic talks about "public interest" might indeed lead to deposing the king. HOWEVER you forgot to notice that this will not necessarily be in the interest of the public. Iraqis don't leave now better than before. Neither do Egyptian. In fact, none of the Arab countries ever did well under the democratic government. On the other hand, most of them saw reasonable stability under a strong individual leader who is unchallenged. As long as they leader is strong and wise, they would be better off without democracy.
That would be because, much like the dark ages in Europe, Arabian culture is permissive of murder over disagreements. The basis of any democracy is the primacy of the rule of law. Democracy hasn't worked in the Arab world because that region is culturally stuck in the 900s or so, where might makes right.
the belief that a muslim democracy is less likely to hate the US, the West, danish cartoonists, Israel, rap musicians etc and be less likely to support terrorism in the mid east appears to be wishful thinking and thus netanyahu appears more realistic than bush and zakaria in his assessment
Absolutely correct. And that's why I'm don't think we should be so excited about the Arab democracy. This is just naive on our side. A thoughtful king or a wise and strong unchallenged dictator might be better for people in many Middle East countries as well as for the US and it will sure be better for the stability in the region.
Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, all examples of Islamic democracies, all of whom are close friends to the West. Algeria, well that's just a whole different story all together.
Are you kidding me? Azerbaijan is not a democracy. It's a typical post-Soviet dictatorship. And Turkey has a peculiar fetish for throwing journalists into prison.
Agreed. well said.
We can't even get our own "democracy" to function, so the idea that we are "exporting democracy" is a joke. What we are doing is spreading the idea that the INDIVIDUAL should matter as much as the State, and slowly but surely THAT goal is being achieved.
Fareed looks into the mind of every individual citizen and precisely predict what they want for the future of their respective governments and countries. A good piece of writing that Saudis will appreciate when they gain enlightenment. What else can I say about what citizens of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies want? Bravo son (well, I maned my son in your honor)!
You wrote, "A good piece of writing that Saudis will appreciate when they gain enlightenment". The Saudis don't need to be enlightened to appreciate your delightful comment.
Let's hope that the Saudis find a way to solve their problems. It doesn't help to contain a crisis. One has to have foresight and be strong enough to overcome obstacles. It looks as if Qatar is ahead of Saudi Arabia, when it comes to envisioning the future.
I to believe that education in Saudi Arabia is mandatory, free and good. A rich monarch might not be such a bad thing after all.
Except for the women. It's a waste of money to educate your property, after all.
Do they think?
about what...
Imagine what the world would be like, if there were no corruption!
Void of most humans.
"They have given tens of billions of dollars in assistance to the unemployed and they’ve increased salaries of soldiers and public servants." Sounds like they pass around the profits unlike our 1%.
If most 1%-ers worked very hard and consistently made responsible decisions that resulted in wealth, why should they just give any of that to someone like you or me? Get off your butt and make your own wealth. Wealth = money in > money out. Can you manage that?
Wealth doesn't work like that. Where do you think money comes from? It trickles down from the 1% who run the corporations and businesses that employ the 99%. If they are essentially hoarding their wealth, regardless of how legitmately they earned it, there is less to circulate for everyone else. That is why gov't has to regulate the balance. Of course some people should be wealthier because they earn it, but it should not be to the detriment of the quality of life of everyone else. In the end, the billionaires will still be billionaires even if things are regulated. Another topic, for another day.
In short, get a clue.
"If they are essentially hoarding their wealth, regardless of how legitmately they earned it, there is less to circulate for everyone else. "
WRONG. By "hording" their justly earned wealth, they make it available for loans via the banking system for other people/firms to use for productive purposes. That is how it works.
YOU get a clue.
Right. Because everyone is destined to be an entrepreneur and has to take out loans in order to generate their own wealth in the form of business. Wow. What percentage of the population does this do you suppose? We're talking only loans for "productive" purposes. And IF that were the ticket to the American Dream, then who the hell is suppose to do the menial labor? Riiiiight.
You know, I wish that's how it worked, but we already know what happened in 2008. We all know that's not what really happens to people's money when its in the banks or being invested. Just ask those who formerly had 401Ks....
Just! I think the author wasn't bashing the 1%s per se but making a point that in a efficient society, the wealth trickles down somehow to benefit the society. That was indeed the foundation of our economy. The better the economy does, the better the businesses do, the better the workers do, the better the entire society does. But this trickle down effect stopped working – the businesses do well, yet the middle class is getting erroded, the powerty level is rising, and income in terms of real dollars is dropping. This is not necessarily a fault of the 1% but the author made a point that being an elected democracy on its own doesn't guarantee better living.
Romney vs. Frankenstein (Obama)
Put simply, better the devil you don't know. Vote Romney.
Romney is a fool, vote Obama or deal with an American Theocracy. Saudi Arabia is jacked up, we need to be allied with Iran.
Awww, but Saudi has a little oil left.
"better the devil you don't know."
Absolutely false.
Especially when the devil is Etch-a-Sketch,
Who owns him this week? Who is he pandering to now?
NO THANKS.
Obama isn't perfect, but at least his principles are his own.
Zakaria is a muslim, and every chance he gets he uses it to attack Israel. And CNN gives him this opportunity daily.
I'm not Muslim and I attack stupid Isreali policies as often as possible. I attack all stupid policies without regard to nationality or any other label. End settlements NOW and get your hiney to the negotion table.
I like to floss before I eat so that my gum pockets are open for new food.
hows syria working out for you , we are at war with islam and israel is the front line , go to gaza and starp on a bomb for the cause .retard
Sure Saudi Arabia wants to hold on to it's monarchy. They can continue to repress the population and live by insane Islamic law which will continue to devastate human well being which they've done such a good job of decimating.
If anyone knows the history of Saudi Arabia, it's one of the most ruthless and disgusting accents to power that our world has ever seen...it's like Hitler coming into power and the United States backing Hitler fully to continue to kill whomever he feels needs to die. The Saudi 'royalty' are sick, mindless heathens who happened to be on top of a bunch of oil. Because Islam used to (and perhaps still does) kill it's intellectuals, they would be no more than the Kurds without the West helping them out big time. I still don't understand why American and Europe didn't just take the land away from them a long time ago as these 'royal' morons had no idea of what the heck was going on. Seriously, the Saudi's are about as intelligent as the average 12 year old western child.
The Saudi family has obviously had viable strategy and implementation because they're still in power. They have done a lot of good for their people even as many have paid a price. No executive branch is without flaws. Remember the decades (yes, DECADES) of stable $1.40/gal gas? That was entirely due to Saudi-controlled OPEC. That was very generous. Now prices have gone up and who's crying now? Everyone has good and bad. If more people realized that, we as a species could sit down together and do business, not make war.
"Living by insane islamic laws." Did you notice the part of the article that says the royal family is actually more progressive than the population? Depose them and you will see the islamists come to power. Didn't Egypt and Libya teach you anything?
Hey VR, let Saudi's or other muslim countries live by their own rule of law.......they are not forcing them on west. And if you don't like these muslims in your country then simply ask your government not to let them come in our wonderful western democracies. Just keep a business type relationship.....they sell us their oil and we sell them our food and technology! What is problem with this kind of relationship? Why we are dying for bonding with islamic terrorists? Could you live without muslim in your wonderful democracies? If you can't then it can be resolve overnight!!!! Ask your congressmen (or respective governing boies in other countries) to change US immigration policy where no muslim is allowed! DONE!!! NO ARGUMENT!!!
Saudi Arabia is not Muslim, it is "Wahabi"...it is neither Sunni or Shia.
The writer used "think" and "Saudi" in the same sentence. Hahahahahaha. Towel heads don't think!!!!!!!!! Hahahahahahaha
I'm really sorry for u, that you took from your time to write such a meaningless sentence...!
I think his/her statement says it all.
The Democrate Republic of USA he has no say as to if his eyes of rememberance of the birth canal!
Message to George W. Bush
Mmm... Word Salad!
Why Americans care ?
I dont care .
Because Saudi Arabia is one of our primary dealers of the oil we are addicted to. 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi, therefore, we attacked Iraq.
at the center of it we want fairness, cuddly kittens and white picket fences
and we will bomb to get it
Any type of union can only be made with the permission of USA otherwise the rulers will face what King Faisal of Saudi Arabia and Zulfikar Bhutto of Pakistan faced(assassination)
The root of the problem is Islam (and *ALL* muslims) ban Islam and make it a capital crime to be a muslim and the problem wll be solved pretty quick.
Thank you, Sean Hannity.
keep spreading the hate and intolerance around.
I'm sure you consider yourself a good Christian, too.
Pack light for the afterlife- where you're going, it will be very warm.
Thanks, Sean Hannity. or is this Glenn Beck trolling?
keep spreading the hate and intolerance around.
I'm sure you consider yourself a good Christian, too.
Pack light for the afterlife- where you're going, it will be very warm.
The problem is Zionism and the corporations owned by it...ban Zionism and we will all live in peace.
no such thing as having peace with muslims , best to kill them all
Why not wipe out Christianty the biggest terrorist religion in the world chrisitianity is a cancer to the world, no christians no war. Peace will prevail all over the world.
BS! GWB should be executed for mass murder in Iraq and afghanistan! Why is that Bosnian general being prosecuted for war crimes and why has Charles Taylor been convicted and sentenced for the very same crimes GWB committed in Iraq and Afghanistan? GWB reminds me of Charles Manson, alot of hype in two coward little worthless men! Worthless SOB!
How Bush's Saudi masters allowed him to take out a Sunni dictator (Saddam) in a predominantly Shia nation (Iraq) is beyond me. Once Saddam was gone the Iraqi Shia's gained power in Iraq and hooked up with their Iranian Shia brothers to form a greater Shia theocracy in the middle east. Bush did Iran the biggest favor ever by getting rid of Saddam and ushering in the Shia government in Baghdad. Dumbest military and diplomatic decision in modern American history
I agree with you 100%. Saddam was a secular leader and Iraq was pretty modern. Women had more rights there than in most Western countries... and it's not a joke, go look it up.
Right on the money. History will show that the Bushes acted out of arrogance and poor foresight. Saddam could have been cultivated to be our best friend in the Middle East (actually he was our friend as he supposedly asked/received our consent before overtaking Kuwait.
Please, do inform us more. I like to know more about my lost opportunities because I happen to be a Iraqi women (US citizen now) who happen to know more than you. In Saddam's Iraq none had any rights! Do you understand how insulting your statement is to people who actually lived through this ordeal?! Sure, women had more right's than Saudi Arabia, where they can't even have their own passport or drive. But to say that they have more right's than women in Western countries is disgusting lie and you know it. Women in Turkey, Iran or Malaysia have far more rights than most women in Iraq! I didn't stand a chance to get into a university program in Iraq because I was 1) female 2) Born as a Shia muslim 3) Kurdish ethnicity. I ended up going to a university in neighboring Iran, but you already knew you where spewing out nonsense. I replied just to let others know what a ignorant lying fool you are.
Jackola
"Saddam could have been cultivated to be our best friend in the Middle East (actually he was our friend as he supposedly asked/received our consent before overtaking Kuwait."
You are a very stupid liar Jacko. The US never ever agreed with Saddam (sic) on the invasion of Kuwait. US was squarely behind Kuwait from the beginning and the US and Kuwait have stayed in a very close friendship ever since.
Bush went along with his hard-line puppetmasters so readily because Saddam took a swing at his Daddy. Just remember,kiddies– If you are a business partner of the Bush family (yes-they were..look up Matra) and you get froggy with them you WILL be killed. Don't believe me? look it up and be afraid.
Saudis think?
Government Insider Says George W. Bush Planned and Authorized the 9/11 Attacks...
Stanley Hilton was a senior adviser to Sen. Bob Dole and he has represented hundreds of families of 9/11 victime in a law suit against the Bush administration for treason and mass murder!
go to http://www.rense.com/general57/aale.htm
Scott McCullen was George W. Bush's Press Secretary and he wrote the New York Time's Best Seller "What Happened" explaining how GWB lied about WMD's in Iraq and used propaganda to sell the Iraqi war!
Better properly vet and know fully well the character and personality of your republican candidates!!!
Can we please stop the name calling and other such comments and have a more polite, intellectually driven discourse? I expect more from this site. All of us can agree to disagree without the name calling and ugly, personal comments.
The ancient conflict between Shia and Sunni is definitely driving the current conflict between the monarchies and those who want personal and sociatal freedom in the Middle East. Were it not for oil, I believe that the United States would be much more aggressive in trying to bring about the downfall of the monarchs who rule in the Gulf region.
Netanyahu is purely driven by what is beneficial to Israel, not necessarily that if democracy will do good to the rest of the middle east. His contention is that whoever wins or loses in an Arab Spring, it doesn't matter because the anti-Israeli sentiment is going to always overwhelmingly prevail. To thwart such a downward trend, therefore Netanyahu would rather deal with a known monarch or tyrant selfishing fighting to perpetuate his own reignm even if at the expense of the Arab common good. For Netanyahu, the common good of Israel matters most, and as an elected democratic leader of Israel, that is his job and what he is expected to do.
>>Gasoline costs some 50 cents a gallon there, an eighth of what Americans pay.
So what? Gasoline has always remained around the same and hasn't fluctuated much. I've lived in Saudi Arabia for more than 18 years till 1999 and have been visiting every year for a month since till 2004.
What were the Saudis thinking? The same thing as always - expanding the Islamic hegemony worldwide and bringing everyone under Sharia law. In this, they stand squarely with the basic teaching of Islam as put forth by Mohammed and his successors. Make no mistake, these people are the enemies of the free world. Do not be fooled by articles like this that try convince you that they are a benign and progressive state and culture.
Sorry...I didnt read this article. I have a rule that the moment I read "George W Bush" i close my eyes
No surprise there. That's how liberals usually behave.
They're fairly prone to avoiding walking piles of dumb, yes.
Yes when dung is spread liberals avoid it. On the other hand conservatives run to bathe in it.
WigWag- You extrapolate the nartue of the Iran regime from three incidents which, by the way, you misconstrue.You say, All the self-deception in the world doesn’t change the nartue of the Islamic Republic, but do not appear to have anything BUT deceptive information to form the basis of you judgment about the nartue of Iran. So permit me to toot a horn that, I suspect, is more informed than yours: Iranian women are among the most tough-minded and independent in the world. The are the pillar of Iranian society and have marked out a position and status for themselves in partnership with their spouses and their very close family networks. I've seen it in action, I've befriended and been befriended by Iranian women (and men) who display tremendous autonomy and self-confidence, and, above all, the graceful but pronounced desire to be left the hell alone to work out reform of their government in their own way on their own timetable. All the demonizing rhetoric in the world will not change the experienced and demonstrated dignity of the Iranian people and especially Iranian women.But here's an exercise for you: try to find the Iranian equivalent of any of of young Israeli Jews and their expressed contempt for the US.Some Israeli advocates have pointed to demonstrations where Iranians were led to chant, Death to America as indications of Iranian hatred of the US. Put that in perspective: Iran has been targeted by the US on numerous occasions; currently, the US is doing its best to economically cripple Iran. Israel, on the other hand, is the beneficiary of at least 50 years of US beneficence, protection, and the exertion of Israeli influence on the US political system.
They must mean a 1939-style "European Union". This would never pass a plebiscite – especially with the population trying to overthrow the foreign monarchy in Bahrain.
What would the Bush family know about democracy?
Better yet, what does B.O. know?
He knows you're a right-wing troll.
And not a very good one, either.
What would Fareed Zakaria, a Pakistani who probably oppresses his wife, know about democracy? Go back to Pakistan you America hating jihadist!
Get help.
Allah Akbar!
Long live Saddam Hussein!
Americans need to pay more for gasoline so the US government can send more money to Israel.
Ah, go blow yourself up already.
George W. Bush was right about something?
First time for everything, I guess.
Bush's message might mean more if he just weren't such a fu ck in g id i ot!
I don't buy the argument as to who is right or wrong,as you point out towards the end of your article.matters are more complicated than the simplistic way you paint them. it would be more prudent to state the facts and use examples historical and contemporary. For Example, what is happening in Syria these days is and will be Tragic for most Minorities.Bare in mind these Minorities have a huge historical significance.They have inhabited these Lands for thousands of years,some of them still speak the language spoken by Jesus Christ.Now,you use big themes such as "Freedom and Democracy",but the facts are very different.Where is the freedom in Libya,Iraq,Tunisia,Egypt,Afghanistan etc... and are you sure any of these aforementioned countries is on the right path towards freedom and democracy?? Some of us Americans,happened to have loved ones who still live in these countries,and our and our loved one's opinion is far and different from how the Media in America and Parts of Europe paints the picture. All i can say to notable journalists like you is"do your work with dignity and true belief"...
Most Americans do not understand ,outside of Politics, that 3rd world countrys have the technology to communicate and actually see what the real world is about. These countrys have not had the opportunities as most Americans and I will honestly say Americans are lazy. I wave the flag and praise my lucky stars I was born in USA, rather than poor mouth people of different races, religions and nationalities, give thanks to freedom of speech and capitalism. Stop complaining and go to work either by futher education or changing jobs.
George Bush wants to be on the side of freedom? Hmmm...I don't know who has a worse human rights record; the Saudis, Israel, Qatar or Yemen...but they are all pretty bad and all received huge amounts of weapons and military financing from the United States since the CIA attacked us on 9/11. I can imagine the freedom he eludes to as these weapons of death are deployed against protestors in the streets, authoritarian governments killing and cruelly imprisoning any opposition to their corruption. Thanks George, once again you make our country proud.
Yup, Bush wil be proven right in about ... 1000 years.
At the end of WW II, the US took over the role of Great Britain to be the guardian of Middle East oil. That guardianship has continued to the present day. The Saudi version of Islam is the most fanatical and anti-West in the world. The Saudis have financed Islamic schools all over the world that spreads hatred of the West. Pakistan is full of these schools and they create hatred for the West. This is the principle reason for Pakistani support of the Taliban. George Bush threatened war with Pakistan and the Pakistani gave the most lukewarm support to the US against the Taliban and Bin Laden.
The anti-Soviet forces in Afghanistan were financed by the Saudis. After the Russian left Afghanistan, the Saudis supported the Taliban until 9/11 made it too dangerous. The Saudis understand military might and knew who would win in fight over Taliban and the US. So they switched side just like Pakistan did.
The Saudis were scared of Saddam because he was willing to invade Kuwait and probably would have invaded Saudi Arabia in the future if he was allowed to keep Kuwait. So with great reluctance, the Saudi allowed the US to recapture Kuwait. Saddam is not a forgiving fellow and he had the Saudi in his gun-sights. So getting rid of Saddam permanently became a priority for the Saudis. President Bush was willing to do it for all of the right reasons as far as most Muslims are concerned: REVENGE over the attempted assassination of Bush's father.
The only reason that the Saudis deal with the West is because of MONEY and SECURITY. The West supplies the money that allows them to spread their fanatical version of Islam. The US supplies the security muscle that keeps the Saudis in power. Republican Ron Paul understands that the US should stop being the military muscle for Saudi Arabia, unfortunately no other Republican and very few Democrats under it. If Romney is elected expect another war in the Middle East, this time with Iran and it will ten times worse than the Iraq fiasco. Instead of costing two or three trillion, expect a cost of $20 to $30 trillion and the devastation of the US economy.
+1000
I dont think americans really understand (as we do us arabs) that the US is protecting and supporting a country that has been and continues to fund the most extremist antiwestern mouvements in arab countries. that cancer spreads real fast..look at tunisia: 100 salafis in 2011, 10 000 in 2012, how many in 2013?? and who gves them funds to those poor unemployed idiots? well you have guessed, you r good friend saudi arabia.
the awes of evil is not the one bush said it was, it is called: "US-OIL-SAUDIS"
the greatest democracy destroying indirectly any hope for democracies in arab countries that have only the choice of obeign saudi arabia... please understand this one day befor its too late, i just cant beleive that after 9/11, people still dont understand ! are you idiots in the US or what?????
GW Bush talking about siding with freedom? He's the president that was holding hands with the Saudi leader.
The only true modern democracy is one that is based on annual personal tax contributions, where each tax dollar you pay is like a common share of a corporation, and where anyone can run for a position on the board of governors. Unfortunately, this does not yet exist in any country , certainly none that I've heard of anyhow.
Now will it. Walk about the worst sort of slave state.
What an awful idea.
@ Freddy E. It has been pointed out that some countries do in fact use a system of "Proportional Representation", for example like Sweden. I guess Sewden must be the worst place in the world to live and everyone is probably a slave. You figure Freddy ?
I sum up your article in the following: You are sitting behind a wall of glass. You are looking at events taking place five hundred meters away. You could see hands raised and what seems loud argument. But you are sitting behind a glass wall/window in a sound proof building, you cannot tell exactly what is bing said or what is the issue is about, yet you go ahead to write what you guess is taking place. I doubt you know much about Saudi Arabia and about it's people.
Then tell us what you know, which is probably nothing.
I think it was a silly comment by Bibi, the world around is changing and we see the panic on those who want same old, same old. There is nothing like freedom and people of oldest civilization in the word, Egyptians showed the world. The outcome may not be the best to some like Bibi or Saudi monarchy, but certainly a change that will bring change in the long run. Fear is the worst enemy of all, so don’t speculate.
That monarchy is realizing they are up against the clock and spring is just around the corner and they are running out of time. Aspirations of people can never be suppressed. People in that country deserve the sweet taste of democracy. They got human rights issues, high unemployment, poverty, energy issues and they got the worst healthcare system in the world and you hear monarch (and his families of thousands & thousands of princes from tens and tens of wife’s) get on private jets coming to US for treatments or whatever.
We need to dump Saudi Arabia and Israel as allies and take Iran as our new superpower ally in the Middle East.
tell ya what,Marcus –why don't you go fly over there and put in an application to be the Ambassador. Then swipe the pen in a clumsy fashion,and call them liars when they catch you at it.
just dump saudi arabia if you can,
and try to convince israel to follow the very same UN resolutions that gave it birth,
and we will all be happy and in peace hopefully
Mr. Zakaria....Can you please substantiate the comments about Morocco getting bribes from Saudia Arabia to tone down its political reforms? If true, then this news would be disturbing on many levels. But if you don't have evidence, then I ask you please to correct your article and be more careful about what you write in the future.....This is not the Farid I follow and I know.
Daniel...and the last king of the north will worship and magnify himself...the belief in one's self-rights and self-freedoms....and this belief and way fo life ( this "god of fortresses" will be golirified and advanced in all the earth....
(ref UN Bush UN speeches, ref Obama 2009 UN speech)
and this ruler of the free world will place the tabernacle of his palace between the seas (the nations) and above the Holy Mountain...above the Way of the One True God and His Christ.
...but Christ will return to put in place the One True Way of Life from the One and Only Creator God.
and there will be weeping when Christ will say " that I do not know you... workers of lawlessness"
and there will be gnashing of teeth by those who will be angry and reject Christ.
Man, there are some howlingly insane people on this board. I'm getting the F outta here before one of you loons flings poop at me.
It seems like Saudi Arabia is held together by the high price of oil, which is allowing the monarchy to buy the loyalty of its citizens. I wonder what happens if the oil price goes down enough to necessitate some austerity measures. Will those on the dole stay silent? Just wondering.
For once you have done it, Zakaria. I raise my hat for your intelligent report. Why can't you be free enough and have the same objectivity on other issues, such as Iran? But hey, it shows that you can when you are allowed and I understand that where you stand, there are also taboos that cost many great reporters their profession. But who knows maybe as time goes, you will end up walking so many roads that you will become a true man of news.
when saudis run out of oil in the future than what happens....
back to wandering around all day and wiping with your hand/
G.W.Bush was right in convincing Saud’s to introduce democratic reforms in Saudi Arabia. Saudi lead for GCC is also good initiative to entrench a EU type organization in Middle East with democratic objectives & groom the next generation in leadership skills rather than allowing the fundamentalists take over after centuries of Monarchy in these countries. Saudi interest in safety of Islamic values may be short lived with democratic & industrial seeding which alone cane eliminate poverty, dependence & jealousy against Monarchy. Next generation is awfully independent, intellectual, industrial & aware with vision of Western liberty, freedom of enterprise, freedom of access to education & personal development unlike elders. If democratic reforms are gradually introduced & leadership skills developed, transfer of power will be better taken & digested without blood bath like in Libya, Egypt, and Syria & subdued in other countries in Middle East. With global marketing, Facebook, Twitter & other inter acting process of business; awakening of brains of young generations has accelerated to unstoppable limits & will continue with internet support & support of other democratic countries. GCC like EU can be successful as by learning Dos & Don’ts of EU operational faults to keep the Middle Eastern countries peaceful & prosperous existence. Oil wealth & distribution of money to population will not have long term & lasting effects on the younger generations as they are growing adults with unlimited mental & material resources & need all round development of all evenly in the countries to get Western like prosperity for the people as a whole.
"Sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace." Bob Dylan
Zakaria is as ignorant a fool as one can possibly be and is a perfect fit for CNN. Netanyahu and others are absolutely right about the so called Arab Spring. How many Sharia-ruled anti-Western states do you have to see arise before you get the message? Maybe you should be reading what these people are actually saying (especially in Arabic when they think you are not looking) instead of whitewashing them. The proof from their own mouths is irrefutable. Commitment to jihad and total domination of a country by Islamofascists is NOT the flowering of democracy, friends.
Fareed is obviously watching a different "Arab Spring" then the rest of us. Fareed, can you say "Islamic Brotherhood?" Oh, yes, I forgot, they're moderates. Yeah, well I suppose next to Hitler, Goebbels was a moderate.
my country tunisia is about 25 times more democratic and free than it was under ben ali,
if that is what you call an arab winter, then it is very cool indeed!
one exemple?
"i think my president marzouki is an idiot, my name is mr hafdhi."
one year ago, i would probably risk jail writte now..today, i fear nothing, as my 11 millions fellow citizens..
dont lament yourself for us please, thats very nice of you but also very stupid today.
regards
as a young Moroccan citizen I have always wondered how long will it take for the west to understand that the feedback they are getting is what they wanted to impose on others . In The place where I live , the majority of the is living outside the 21st century .
this may be a result of the wrong decisions taken by the west to help dictators cut off muslim nations (arabs) . As long as these people are not educated and liberated from their oppressors , they will follow the first mirage of hope (even the devil) .
should not they think of making friendly nations , not friendly political criminals ?
Someone should stick George Bush's foot back in his mouth.
And re-insert cheney's foot in his ass.
Having worked and traveled for many years in that part of the world I can tell you that the Saudi population is by far the worst and most extreme fundamentalist lunatics. The population is generally uneducated, women have 0 rights, and most of the work/projects in these Persian Gulf "state" countries are carried out by foreigners. Sure, they do send their kids into western universities, but they must be bribing their way through, because and Saudi Doctor/Engineer is a oxymoron by itself. The only culture the Saudis, Emirates and the neighboring arabs have is a extremely narrow minded version of Islam. Yet, we continue to praise them and nurture them. This is the same country whom the majority of the 911 hijackers where from, same place from where those "foreign" fighters in Iraq/Afghanistan originated from. Even more amazing than that is why we have not spent more time or effort to topple the regime in Iran. That place was once both our and Israels ally in the region, the population is educated, liberal and religion has minor role in society, despite the regimes attempt to portray it otherwise. It's the only place where Americans are still seen as the good guys (by the population). I worked in Iran before the revolution and it was truly a amazing place, rich in culture and hospitality. I even was there a couple years ago and its astonishing to see how they have managed to continue to develop despite all the sanctions. In 2009 there was massive revolt in Iran that could have changed everything, with a truly democratic movement (unlike the religious nutjobs in Egypt...) and the regime brutally stamped it out. Mr. Obama stood by and did not even utter a word of solidarity, now its 2012 and we are going to have to chose between the same impotent candidates once more while we keep fattening the bellies of the same people who then turn around and attack us.
take it easy,you left out they eat grass and sleep standing up.
What interesting quotes. First, George W Bush lets us know that he is not yet so old that he cannot be taught. From thinking HE would be the one to let loose the democratic ideal, he now sees that democracy can only ever come from within. As for Bibi Netanyahu, he cannot recognize the democratic principle when he sees it. It is possible that a majority might, when they gain power, do things not truly democratic, but until they do and first things first they are THE PEOPLE. Israel should wish them well, because real democracies are slower in going to war, and besides any change can't make things worse than they are now from the Israeli perspective, only perhaps and hopefully better.
Fareed: You are still hoping for the Arab spring to bring forth regimes which are democratic. I fear you ignore the fact that Islam and Democracy are not compatible. Islam works best in an autocratic theological regime. You will be proven wrong over time.
The Arab world will never be truly democratic. Arab culture is largely based on heritage and birth rights. They would have to make major adjustments to their culture, especially in the Gulf region.
That would have been said to the French before their revolution!
You can't predict outcome based on ... some statement comming from your imagination.
It doesn't seem to be much of strange bedfellow to me. The USA possibly standing with the Saudis' doesn't seem strange to me, either.
islam is very flexible religion,each country view it differently.some use it and some abuse it as a tool to monoplate simple minds.
If he is calling the monarchy backward, he should start in England.
In large parts of the world, democracy is just an illusion. There is a ruling class that runs everything. It is supported by big business, and IS big business itself. They put up their own to run for office, and it really doesn't matter who wins.
And the U.S. is heading there fast. You have billionaires and mega-millionaires spending millions to run for an office that pays a hundred grand or so, supported by special interests that are allowed to spend unlimited money running political ads. You can be sure that they didn't choose to run out of the goodness of their heart.
ah.. you mean democracies like Pakistan should be created...
Dude,,,,I've been to Saudia Arabia;,,,,,,you don't want the chics driving!! "period – end of discussion!!"
The men can't drive right there! Add 3 million inexperienced chic's, and it will be so chaotic; the basic function of the country would cease to exist!
The women can afford driving lessons and I am sure the women would be more considerate then the men. Besides, the majority of women "travel" and probably drive when they travel. The population of KSA is more emancipated then you think.
The arab spring is good for people and bad for the poorly preparehd monarchs. However two monarchs did reactively guide and demostrated restrained leadership as reported. Jordon and Baharin, both relieved the primed ministers and parliment for their incompentance and called for new elections. The arcahic dictators had and there some yet to go. The monarchs determining that consoliation of power will do what for them? This article does not do much either way. There maybe a greater threat they forsee. If they can establish a operation gulf union of states? Would cancel the threat they fears?
couldn't we just air drop a whole bunch of mac pro's over there for the kids...this whole thing would resolve itself in a year or two
the middle east will always be left behind because everything is based on conspiracy, takfia , and the religion of hate...
Forever is a long time–it will be hundreds of years before the oil runs out there. But eventually, all of the Middle East will be reduced to a sandlot suburb of the great Sand Sahara Desert and will be the ruins that future generations visit and laugh about.
It obviously hasnt occured to these political masterminds that "freedom" will be defined differently by others than us. "Freedom" to most mainstream muslims means being able to practice their religion without any secular influence, the doctrine of their religion totally goes against what we perceive as "freedom" in the west. Its really funny if you ask me.
FREEDOM!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! WHAT Freedom!!!??? the US is a Police State
...with more of it's population in Prison than any other country in the world...
This union has nothing in common with the European model.All of these countries together may be 40 million people. The countries are all dictatorial Monrachies, very unpopular with their own people.They economy revolves around oil, no meaningful productivity. Not to mention a hot bed for Alqaeda-style terrorists. Look Qataris speareheaded the Syrian opposition and we see the ugly head of Alqaeda emerged a few months later.Do we want these people to unite?
The sad fact is that American Presidents have lacked the courage and integriity to speak the truth, which is that Islam and democracy are not compatible. Only US political leaders claim that it is. Muslim leaders do not, and in the sermons of the imams, in their own language, incompatibility is stressed..
The real question is when freedom and democracy will come to America.
We're nothing more than an inbred-led oligarchy as it stands right now.
zakaria is, as usual, as stupid as bush. it is NOT a good thing if 90% of a nation gets to democratically decide to bomb america.....hitler was ELECTED you stupid stupid clown – was that GOOD?
Zakaria does not read any other news except his own. The Muslim Brotherhood took control of Egypt after the so called Arab Spring, they want to cancel the peace agreement with Israel and Zakaria fail to mention that Coptic Christians have been killed and their Churches in Egypt were burned last Christmas, and so in many other Arab countries that had the Arab spring.Israel's prime minister views are based on extensive evaluation and experience which Zakaria did not have and sound his baseless assumption so foolishly.
Fareed, it's clear of course that your program is not entirely objective – how could it be, when FOX serves the Republican cause and CNN the Democrat cause? But even by these standards I found your comments on Netanyahu today (and in the past) to be slanted and opinionated. They do not reflect the fact that Netanyahu is the main non-Muslim democratic voice in the Middle East, and that he cuts through the cant and double-talk of Middle Eastern politics, leaving Western liberals uncomfortabe as their politically correct cages are rattled. Let's be more objective about Israel, Fareed.
They have a union (sorta) called GCC.
George Bush talking about freedom is not unlike Josef Mengele talking about a permanent cure: Hundreds of thousands dead on the hands of both angels of death.
All facts and evidence point to Netanyahu being correct in his summing up of the "Arab Spring"
Whether one studies events to date or projections for the future – he is spot on
Indeed, if one studies the predictions of the Right regarding the "Peace Process" vs those of the Left
Every single one of the Right has materialized
Whilst the Left has exposed itself as the famous Pied Piper
Unfortunately Bush did not stand up to the lashings of the Left
More unfortunately his recipe for "Freedom" sounds great from the continental US
But wherever freedom has been given – radical Islam has stepped in, using the given democratic freedoms – just as Hitler did in 1933.
Egypt and Iraq are notable examples.
Egyptian parliament is dominated (75%) by Jihadis
Iraq is firmly in Iranian orbit
Even Tunisia is being taken over by Jihadis
The basis for optimism, whether from Bush or Zacharia is really somewhat obscure
To stop terrorism US has to to stop backing up these clowns in Saudi. The are the root of all sectarian violence, and suicide bombing all over the region. They are the one that finance all terrorism towards US. Saudis are pure evil.
Can I get a job in ARAMCO...
a leg of monarchs to do what.
That's SaudiArabias stance,keep the people in the dark knowing nothing around them and giving them anything to keep them happy,much like a mushroom,ya keep them in the dark and feed them manure to make them grow or happy as farmers would say.Well feed,kept people are always an obeying people because they'll never bite their masters hand (Saudis) the ones who keep them whole.It's been that way for thousands of years,back as far as the pharaohs,a dynasty of sorts nothing has changed ,only the outside world around them and the shieks themselves...
the AIPAC is the cause of all the evil in America and the middle east. NO israel means peace on earth
Leaders that rise to power through the democratic process only to later usurp the political system will not have legitimacy in the eyes of the world. The Muslim fanatics, in Egypt and elsewhere, will eventually win out and do away with democracy. The Israelis know what the democratically elected Hitler did after he came to power. Netanyahu is dead on.
Saudi's many law don't make sense but one U.S law also doesn't make sense. Specially punishment is ridiculous since politicians were allowed to do this. It seems only fair if U.S govt. just gives insiders warning and ban them from trading in wall street for life. Why put them in jail since wall street insiders do it all the time?
The story lost me when Bush was quoted. NO ONE should report a thing this war criminal says.
Fareed Zakaria knows full well that Netanyahu would never claim that freedom is undesirable, especially in the ME.
The comment he attributes to Netanyahu was obviously an observation of what the Arab"Spring" has resulted in so far.
Yes, the parties coming to power are anti-Israel, anti-West and Islamist .
Yes, that is a concern to other non-Muslim countries in the region and to some Muslim ones too.
But to claim that Netanyahu objects to freedom in the ME is a gross exaggeration and distortion.
All it does is confirm Zakaria's virulent opposition to Israel's democracy and begs the question, why he respects the potential for democracy in the Arab world but rejects it in the Jewish state.
The age-old question: Should the U.S. support "Democracy" when it is clear that the people of another nation will freely choose a government that opposes our cultural values, and may even become our enemy?
Answer: Yes. Supporting freedom is OUR cultural value. It should not matter to us (at least not initially. See below) WHAT people do with their freedom. People MUST be free to work out their own differences without the coercion of a tyrant. This is not to say that democracy ALWAYS increases freedom. Far from it. The majority can be just as tyrannical as a dictator. In fact, it can be MORE tyrannical since, as the majority, it has little to fear on any level from the smaller minority. Nevertheless, they must first be freed from tyranny before than can settle those differences and potentially choose a rational path to prosperity. The transition from tyranny to freedom will be UGLY, both for them and for us, but the transition MUST be allowed to play out.
Moreover, even if the people of another nation freely chose to be our enemy, at least then we can deal with them directly rather than trying to manage their internal affairs clandestinely. The U.S. is pretty good at fighting straight, stand-up wars. But are pretty bad at quietly supporting dictators against their own people on the principle of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". Plus, supporting dictators for pragmatic reasons deeply violates our principles.
We should support the freedom of people across the world to choose to be our enemies. Hopefully they choose otherwise. But in either case, we can then deal with them honestly and openly, knowing that their government truly represents the will of the people.
Sid
Of course middle eastern monarchies (especially the Saudis) are afraid of a democratic government, like many of the more remote parts of eastern europe, the middle east is built up of many tribes of people and most of them are fairly predictable due to their customs and religion. Many of them are also quite repressive, especially against those of other groups.
Democracy would remove that... Saudi Arabia isn't ready to consider a women as equal to a man, much less that a Saudi man and a Shia man are equal, or a Muslim and a Christian or jew. The ruling elite are perfectly happy (and wealthy) as they are and they will go to extrordinay measure to ensure that they remain so.
For more info read novel - king of Bat'ha - and sequel due out by summer 2012 - Tales from the East by Ivanhoe.
I want to correct for you that "In Bahrain, it sent thousands of troops to help crush a rebellion "
the troop that sent to Bahrain is Peninsula Shield : a mix of all GCC troops
former President George W. Bush said: "America does not get to choose if a freedom revolution should begin or end in the Middle East. It only gets to choose what side it is on ... America's message should ring clear and strong: We stand for freedom."
But when he was in office it was all about forcing regime change in the Middle East.
Dear Mr. fareed,
I see your programs and the analysis you make some of them are good and some I dont agree with. In this case the country of Saudi Arab basically a salafist ruled state, whereas this should not be the case because its the land of Makkah and Medina.
In my view the Saudis have shoot themselves in the foot already by supporting the Syrian revolution specifically arming them, why because these will in turn go into the hand of the people who no one want to have the weapons and then it will go to countries like saudio Arabia and other GCC areas because that's where the next move will come for democracy. If you see UAE and surrounding countries people need freedom and they are being forced to accept the kings and the monarchs by way of hook or crook, carrot or stick. There have been reports that several people have disappeared in Saudia Arabia who tried to go towards the democratic way because they were tired of the kings and the way they are spending the country wealth.
Saudis what ever they think and do will not be able to stop the flood of Arab Spring because they are the next stop in any case, people from with in that country want it. How much can you spend and give away to stop the change, no one have been successful to stop the change. The land of Saudi Arab is the land of Change which had changed from a backward place to the place where the civilization again took new life. I hope democracy gets the hold it needs to get and show door to these corrupt rulers of the holy land of Islam.
Saudi arabia already destroyed (by funding terrorists) Soudan, Somalia, afghanistan, Pakistan, Yémen. Now it is funding salafis in Egypt and Tunisia in order to stop the revolutions there.
when Saudi arabia changes, you will see the end of islamist terrorism that was born in the 70's..by saudi arabia you best oil frind in the US...
Are you kidding me?? All this same old crapp has been going on for thousands of years...a bunch of parasites fighting over an ant hill that no one really owns. Yeah people the human race is so intellegent that they wipe each other out for selfish stupidity and unmoral reasonings. How about we all get pass all this self deprecating life everyone is living and realize that without eachother no matter what race we are (which is only one race-HUMAN) we all fail and all this war propaganda that world powers have is all a way to keep us all at eachothers throats for a profit. Man is so stupid and people fall for all this stuff like it's candy which by the way also rots the smile off anyones face just like wars.