The new Mideast: Desert winds, spring flowers
UNITED NATIONS — From the posh Beirut Mediterranean seafront to the dusty streets of Baghdad and desert lands of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and even Palestine, the political winds of change seem to be forcefully sweeping the region bringing freedom, the possibilities of greater political liberty, and perhaps leading to democracy in the long run.
Just two years after the Iraq war and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s tyrannical regime by the Anglo/American coalition forces, the seeds of long suppressed sentiments seem to be sprouting in the arid political sands which were known to spawn only authoritarian Arab socialist rule. And though these seeds need nurturing and are by no means firmly rooted, there’s a genuine possibility that in some countries — especially Lebanon and Iraq, will witness a political groundswell.
Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution has been heartening as it has been long overdue. This talented and once prosperous multi-ethnic state, was torn asunder by civil war and then militarily occupied by neighboring Syria since the late 1970’s. In recent years Lebanon has regained much of its tarnished prosperity, and Beirut the capital, is regaining its once coveted role as the Paris of the Middle East — despite the ongoing Syrian occupation.
But the Valentine’s Day massacre of the respected former Premier Rafik Hariri presumably by Syrian agents set off the spontaneous spark of a massive people power rebellion which has rocked the political status quo. Now almost unbelievably, Syrian has withdrawn its military units from Beirut and is being persistently pressured by the U.S. and France through UN Security Council resolution 1559 to leave Lebanon completely. Syria’s dour dictator Bashir Assad must swallow national pride and face the loss of lucrative commercial rackets run by his Beirut-based military intelligence apparatus.
Already scheduled elections are expected in the Spring, and it now appears like the vote may be free and fair. Mind you Lebanon with its still large Christian community remains the most Westernized of many Middle East states. Change even here is not certain as the large Shiia Muslim community, with cozy ties to Syria and linked to the military Hezbollah militia, may yet play a spoiler role.
Recent elections in Iraq, have reverberated throughout the Middle East causing the jolts along political fault lines throughout the region. The Kuwaiti monarchy has notably taken steps to allow woman the right to vote as their sisters already do in Bahrain, Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. And though political baby steps in Saudi Arabia and Egypt have been highly touted, those moves appear less to do with a groundswell for democracy as a clear realization by their rulers that Washington is watching and that the masses on the “Arab Street” are watching too — on TV!
The opening of a free if politically fractious parliament in Baghdad symbolizes genuine political reform presenting a heady mix in the region.
A change in the political mood, and the atmospherics seems to be sweeping the region. As the Economist editorialized, “Despite the apparent vindication of America’s pro-democracy policy, Mr. Bush must still tread warily: it is for the Arabs to democratize, not for Americans –despite the example of Iraq — to impose their ideas by force.” The magazine adds, “Yet the Arab rulers must realize, as many of them now seem reluctantly ready to do, that they cannot remain deaf to the democracy call. With more and more of their people watching their Lebanese, Palestinian, and Iraqi brothers on the street and at the polling station, the era of despotic stagnation is steadily drawing to an end.”
Clearly this process for all its exhilarating moments could face spectacular setbacks as the despot in Damascus or the Islamic militias strike back the old fashioned way. Yet the example of Iraq — despite the serious challenges ahead, has shown that the quest for freedom is not confined merely to Western or prosperous East Asian societies, but rather remains part of the universal human spirit. Someday this may captivate the Arab Street.
John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense
issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.  |
