President Obama Delivers Major Address on Middle East Policy

On Thursday,  President Barack Obama addressed the nation to discuss U.S. policy towards the Middle East and North Africa.  He noted that over the past six months,  the people in the region “have risen up to demand their basic human rights”  and stated “that our own future is bound to this region by the forces of economics and security, by history and by faith.”  Obama asserted that while Osama bin Laden‘s death dealt a powerful blow to al-Qaeda his message was largely irrelevant as “he rejected democracy and individual rights for Muslims in favor of violent extremism.”  Instead, they followed the example of Mohammed Bouazizi who launched the region’s struggle for self-determination, freedom and dignity.  ”The story of this revolution, and the ones that followed, should not have come as a surprise,” he stated, “The nations of the Middle East and North Africa won their independence long ago, but in too many places their people did not” as they lacked a political voice and economic opportunity.   Obama stated that the uprisings in the Middle East demonstrate that “strategies of repression and strategies of diversion will not work anymore.”

Obama also stated that there has been a great deal of mistrust between Americans and the Arab World which needs to be addressed by changing our approach:  “The status quo is not sustainable.  Societies held together by fear and repression may offer the illusion of stability for a time, but they are built upon fault lines that will eventually tear asunder…There must be no doubt that the United States of America welcomes change that advances self-determination and opportunity.” He stated that while “there will be times when our short-term interests don’t align perfectly with our long-term vision for the region,” the U.S. must stand by our principles and support these transitions.  He noted the particular importance of supporting transitions in Egypt and Tunisia as they are the vanguards of the democratic wave, but also announced U.S. support for protesters across the region who are continuing their struggle.  He reiterated support for Libyan rebels and called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to “lead that transition, or get out of the way.”  He called on the regime to steer clear of the Iranian example and noted the Islamic Republic’s hypocritical reaction to the regional protests.  He also called on Yemeni President Abudullah Ali Saleh to follow through on his commitment to transfer power and condemned the mass arrests and brute force implemented by the Bahraini government to suppress the opposition and called for dialogue: “ The only way forward is for the government and opposition to engage in a dialogue, and you can’t have a real dialogue when parts of the peaceful opposition are in jail.” Obama pointed to Iraq as an example of a country were “sectarian divides need not lead to conflict” but rather can lead to “multiethnic, multisectarian democracy.”   To regional leaders, he said: “If you take the risks that reform entails, you will have the full support of the United States.”

Obama noted the importance of moving past engagement with the elite, to civil society and entrepreneurs and stated that the U.S. “look[s] forward to working with all who embrace genuine and inclusive democracy.”  He also called for religious tolerance, respect of minorities, women’s participation and youth empowerment.  He discussed the work of the international community, international financial institutions  and U.S. Congress’ to support the stabilization and modernization of the Tunisian and Egyptian economy through direct assistance, formation of trade relations, and pushing economic and structural reform.  He also announced up to $1 billion in debt relief to Egypt, $1 billion in “borrowing that is needed to finance infrastructure and job creation,” and a commitment towards helping newly democratic governments recover stolen assets.

Obama also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and discussed the need for each side to make concessions to ensure the peace process moves forward.  He called for a 2 state solution along 1967 borders.  He also drew parallels between the events in the Middle East and the American Revolution, the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement as in all these struggles, Americans fought for dignity, freedom, and a political voice as the people in the Middle East are now. “The United States of America was founded on the belief that people should govern themselves.  And now we cannot hesitate to stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing that their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable, and more just.”