Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Janett_Reno
Could you share more about transforming the middle east? Who should transform the middle east? Should the middle east be transformed thru force or thru talk?
|
The thinking is that the middle east (even though awash in oil wealth) was devoid of modernity. Both political, human and economically. The thinking was that another vital democratic country (iraq) would have a transforming effect within the middle east.
In quite a few ways this has been the case. Political discussion and the discussion of once verbotten topics has arisen. Other more liberal political groups have stepped up to challenge the despots where possible.
Just with respect to discussing the role of islam in terrorism, this most essential dialogue has been forced by the action in Iraq.
So at the end of the day, the transforming effect of removing an aggressive dictator who threatened the region, having a democracy within the heart of the middle east is the transforming agent that was intended.
The idea is that this transformation is required for the middle-eastern arabic people to achieve along with the rest of the world. Not only politically but economically. That the way that we had dealt with the middle east (only support dictators and not try and press for democratic reforms) needed to stop. We still have to support moderate societies but we should push for liberal reform where possible.