Patrick Henry’s famous saying, “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” is emblematic of the spirit in which our democracy was founded. He would be proud of the people of Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia. Throughout Middle East and North Africa, people are peacefully rallying in the streets to demand the overthrow of dictators. This story has the whole world’s attention, but I am still formulating my personal thoughts on the protests.
Part of me is very concerned. Consider our past relationship with Mubarak of Egypt. For three decades, the dictator has been one of our allies in this precarious region. He has upheld Israel’s peace agreements and has stabilized tensions with other Arab countries.
While the protesters vehemently call for Mubarak’s removal, they equate him with America. The Arab protesters often consider the greed of Mubarak’s corrupt regime a result of the Western lifestyle. I fear uncertainty of who will replace him. I fear that these rebellions may generate anti-American governments.
No one knows what the future of these countries will be. What we do know is that these people have suffered for decades. For too long, foreign policy in the United States has been to support petro-dictators. It has been unsustainable for us here in the U.S.; it has been brutal for these citizens in authoritarian regimes. In this momentous climate, now is the time liberal democracy should permeate through the Arab world.
My belief is that anti-American, anti-Israel extremists will not govern the future of the Arab World. From recent events, it seems unlikely that the Muslim Brotherhood will put up the next president, a cue that this may lead to a circumstance less like the Shah’s takeover in Iran in ‘70s than previously expected. Sustainable security and peace stems from the American and Israeli flags flying in more cities than just Jerusalem and Cairo. We need democracy so that we can see symbols of freedom fly in Damascus, Benghazi, Khartoum, Beirut, Abu Dhabi, and Oran.
These people are fighting for political and economic freedoms. They simply desire to speak their minds and play a role in government decision-making. In Libya, the people have been suppressed by a ruthless oppressor since 1969. Gaddafi has stolen from his people to build a private billion-dollar empire. His family treats the country as personal property.
We need to stop relying on convenient dictators. Rather, America must focus on the human rights in the Middle East. The Egyptians and Tunisians have shown the world how to win justice. America must support this stand for freedom.
Patrick Henry didn’t mean “Give me Liberty” only when it is convenient. In the West, we understand what freedom from tyranny is; let’s spread freedom to parts of the world where it is less common.
Post does not necessarily reflect the views of Penn Democrats.
Post does not necessarily reflect the views of Penn Democrats.
As much as I disliked George W. Bush, I read an interesting article, and we have to give him credit for one thing--- at least he got a pact done to keep nuclear arms out of the hands of Libya.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/world/middleeast/02arms.html?_r=2&hp
Let's spread freedom to the United States, and then maybe we can have some shred of hope that we won't prioritize oil and military dominance over human rights. Let's be frank, here. Mubarak isn't just "convenient;" Mubarak symbolizes our foreign policy priorities. The US government does not care about human rights. They care about economic and military dominance of the globe. In pursuit of that goal, they indiscriminately violate human rights at home and abroad.
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