December 11th, 2008 by Stephen

In this period of transition, as we all look toward the Middle East policy of the new Obama administration, POMED has asked a variety of respected voices from the community of Middle East policy experts, democracy promotion practitioners, pollsters, academics, and human rights advocates to answer the following question in 300 words or less:

At the outset of the new American administration, what should President Obama say to the people of the Middle East?

We began posting responses to this question last Thursday and on Tuesday. Today, we continue with two additional responses, from Gerald Hyman, Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Scott Carpenter, Keston Family Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.  

Gerald Hyman:

“We do not seek a military role in the Middle East, although we reserve the right to defend our citizens and our partners militarily if necessary, but only as a last resort.  We will pursue peace and prosperity through cooperation, through diplomacy and, whenever possible, through multilateral efforts.  We understand very well that we cannot achieve these goals alone.

We want help and partnership and we offer both to confront problems like poverty, health, and education.  We believe their solution requires both domestic reforms and international cooperation.  Domestic reform is for the people of the Middle East to embrace, not for imposition from abroad.  Yet without those reforms, international cooperation is insufficient.

The most immediate threat to peace in the Middle East is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  We understand fully the frustrations of the past 60 years.   Ironically, the elements of its resolution – peace, borders, security, refugees – have been clear to everyone for many of those years.  The political will to reach that resolution has been missing.  The Government of the United States, including me personally, will work with the UN, the EU, the Government of Russia, and the governments of the Middle East to achieve that resolution and a just and durable peace.

Notwithstanding what some say, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not part of some anti-Muslim aggression by the United States.  We have no grievance against Islam or Muslims and we are not part of any religious crusade.  But a marginal number of extremists have grievances against us and against their fellow Muslims.  They pursue those grievances, falsely, in the name of Islam, a religion of peace.  So all of us must stand together against violence and intolerance and for human rights and peace.  We welcome the opportunity to cooperate in that endeavor with all the people of the Middle East.”

Scott Carpenter:

Two key imperatives exist for all effective communication:  the right message and the right messenger.  During the campaign Barack Obama synthesized both, becoming the message of change.  As President he combines this quality with an ability to speak over the heads of the world’s governing elites directly to their publics.  These rare, perishable assets should be used quickly and to effect in the Middle East.

Because Obama symbolizes change, he need not dramatically alter America’s message. While emphasizing partnership, he should reiterate America’s core objectives in the region:  partnering with governments and peoples to create opportunity for political and economic success; partnering with Iraqis as they work to re-build a nation; partnering with Palestinians and Israelis as they pursue their quest for peace.

“Cooperation with your governments on security matters will continue, but I’ll insist security not be a concept reserved exclusively for the state.  Human security from the state is as critical. I am committed to dialogue with adversarial governments like Syria and Iran but will not abandon principle or cut deals that abandon those who yearn for freedom.”

The President should banish the three-word phrase “peace and security” from his lexicon.  Such words are code for a return to the so-called realist policies of yesteryear - policies inappropriate to the 21st century Middle East.

Message matters, but so do style and tone.  Obama should consider making a well-advertised address to the people of the region on al Hurra or perhaps grant an exclusive, early interview to Hisham Melham of al Arabiya.  Obama should not travel to the Middle East in his first year, but visit places like Indonesia and Kenya instead.  Visiting the Middle East would require meeting with President Mubarak and King(s) Abdullah, sending an unfortunate message of continuity not change.  If they want to see him, let the mountain come to Mohammed.

Posted in What Should New President Say to Middle East? |