Past and Future

MESH has begun the inevitable task of assessing “The Bush Legacy.” Michael Young, Raymond Tanter, and Philip Carl Salzman weigh in, and discuss the issue over the vast terrain of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Lebanon–not surprisingly, without consensus.

Unmentioned was Bush’s Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (BMENA), but an editorial in UAE’s The National highlighting the conclusion of the Forum of the Future event in Dubai fills the gap, offering, “the initiative has never really had the impact or support that it should have, mostly due to its association with Mr Bush. Regional governments remain wary of the intentions behind US involvement.” For more on those intentions, and a general overview of the forum, watch Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Kent Patton in this video interview.