Speaking Truth to Power

Activists from around the Middle East tell FP what they'd like to hear from Obama's speech on Thursday.

MAY 18, 2011

As U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to give a seminal speech on the Middle East on Thursday, Foreign Policy asked key dissidents and activists across the region what they'd like to see from the administration.

Palestine

Fadi Elsalameen

Research fellow, New America Foundation

In light of the "Arab spring," how should the United States change its approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict? What should it learn from the uprisings?

The "Arab spring" sent a clear message to the United States: Democracy cannot be exported, but it can be imported. Now Israel is no longer the only democracy in the Middle East. True American interests and democratic values are aligned with Arab masses' demands and aspirations for the first time. Israel's occupation of Palestine is the only credible threat to a closer relationship between the United States and Arab democratic regimes. The fact that Arab masses crossed the Syrian-Israeli borders into Israel, while chanting: "The people want to liberate Palestine" is a clear sign that, if the United States wants a relationship with both the Arabs and Israel, this relationship can no longer be based on the old dynamics.

In an ideal world, what would you like Obama to say on Thursday when addressing events in your country?

I would like to dream that a Palestinian state is just an Obama speech away. Sadly, Obama's speeches on the Middle East are like Advil pills -- if the first one doesn't work, take another. Obama and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas failed to secure an Israeli promise to stop settlement expansions on Palestinian land. Obama's speech should encourage Abbas to declare a Palestinian state not just for the sake of the Palestinians, but also for the sake of Israel.

Adam Altan/AFP

 

AVILLA

11:10 PM ET

May 18, 2011

Three things.

1. Does Nabeel Rajab truly believe that what's going on in Bahrain is in any way comparable to the Islamic Revolution of Iran and its fallout? Because, to me, that is one heck of a stretched analogy.

2. A lot of these people seem to want money from the Americans, and it looks like Obama's going to give it to them. But isn't this somewhat counterproductive? Americans (and every other country) give money to people to advance their own causes. Arabs, especially Egyptians, practically froth at the mouth when discussing "American imperialism" in this form. But now, post-revolution, it's suddenly okay? Why? Desperation? Wouldn't it be better to not begin the new "democratic" phase of your new countries as a charity case?

3. From Morocco: "He would finally be declaring that the United States is withdrawing its support from every state that doesn't respect human rights, and that would necessarily include Israel and all Arab states, minus Tunisia and Egypt."

Huh. Statements like this make me wonder. Is Egypt in its present form really "human rights respecting"? Even after Mubarak's fall, it doesn't treat its minorities better than Israel does. Its "morality laws" are certainly worse and are supported by a majority of the population (most would actually like to see them go further, up to and including stoning adulterers). Free speech is hindered and religious freedom is a dream at best. The death penalty is still in use--for minors, no less. The military, which has always been and is still the real power in Egypt, has continued to illegally detain hundreds of individuals post-revolution. What is the standard for "human rights" here? Because I'm not seeing it. Is it democracy? (Or the promise of it, I guess, since neither Egypt nor Tunisia is actually democratic yet.) Unless you're Israel?

 

DEMOFACTOR

4:12 PM ET

May 29, 2011

Can American president change the status-quo?

Israel-Palestine conflict is so complicated issue because everybody seems to make it more complicated than it is.

The real problem is not in that both peoples don't want to make it but in their leaders and hidden interests of powerful groups, especially from Palestine side. Can America change it?

So far it didn't work despite of many efforts by many American presidents and American politics to make a progress. And it will remain stagnated until local people interests in stable peace prevail over local groups interest in making good money from sufferings of their own people.

 

WILLIER

4:07 PM ET

June 17, 2011

Speaking Truth to Power

Activists from around the Middle East tell FP what they'd like to hear from Obama's speech on Thursday. 1. Does Nabeel Rajab truly believe that what's going on in Bahrain is in any way comparable to the Islamic Revolution of Iran and its fallout? Because, to me, that is one heck of a stretched analogy. 2. A lot of these people seem to want money from the Americans, and it looks like Obama's going to give it to them. But isn't this somewhat counterproductive? Americans (and every other country) give check it out Israel-Palestine conflict is so complicated issue because everybody seems to make it more complicated than it is. The real problem is not in that both peoples don't want to make it but in their leaders and hidden interests of powerful groups, especially from Palestine side. Can America change it? So far it didn't work despite of many efforts by many American presidents and American politics to mak

 

PERSON_GUYZ

1:56 AM ET

June 18, 2011

The real problem is not in

The real problem is not in that both peoples don't want to make it but in their leaders and hidden interests of powerful groups, especially from Palestine side. Can America change it? BrainwaveEntrainment A lot of these people seem to want money from the Americans, and it looks like Obama's going to give it to them. But isn't this somewhat counterproductive? Americans (and every other country) give check it out Israel-Palestine conflict is so complicated issue because everybody seems to make it more complicated than it is.

 

JIBRAN_PCC

2:20 AM ET

June 18, 2011

Americans (and every other

Americans (and every other country) give money to people to advance their own causes. Arabs, especially Egyptians, practically froth at the mouth when discussing "American imperialism"realestateinjacksonvillen this form. But now, post-revolution, it's suddenly okay? Why? Desperation? Wouldn't it be better to not begin the new "democratic" phase of your new countries as a charity case?

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