The Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to examining how genuine democracies can develop in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and how the United States can best support that process. Through dialogue, research, and advocacy, POMED works to strengthen the constituency for U.S. policies that peacefully support democratic reform in the MENA region.
POMED advances a vision of a democratic and human rights-respecting MENA region supported by pro-democracy and anti-autocracy policies of the United States through three interconnected goals:
POMED is a small organization of about 10 full time staff across three main teams – advocacy, research, and regional engagement. The work of these teams is publicly supported by a communications team and is led by a Managing Director and an Executive Director.
Every political community has the right to govern itself democratically through free, fair, and open processes and institutions. as well as U.S. foreign policy toward these issues.
This diversity is a central reason why democracy is a universal value and can be adopted successfully by any society. Each country’s citizens, through deliberative processes, have the right to determine the specific nature of their democracy.
The United States was founded on principles of democratic governance and freedom of expression, yet its policy towards the Middle East has often sacrificed democracy at the altar of other interests. To be true to its founding principles, the United States must consistently and credibly support democracy abroad.
Continued support for the Middle East’s authoritarian status quo will jeopardize American national security and economic interests. While genuinely promoting democracy requires the courage to bear short-term risks, free and open political processes will ultimately reduce incentives to resort to violence.
The billions of dollars the United States provides to Middle Eastern governments each year in military aid and economic assistance reflects America’s substantial and enduring interests in the region and preclude any pretense of neutrality on democracy. The United States must carefully examine the consequences of its actions on political reform.
America has a credibility gap on democracy because it often tolerates authoritarian behavior by friendly regimes while calling for democracy and regime changes in unfriendly ones. By consistently supporting democracy, the United States will begin to overcome this legacy and repair its credibility gap.
In the short term, free and fair elections may result in some governments that are less favorable to U.S. interests. Regardless, American must respect democratic processes. The long-term benefits of improved credibility and democracy outweigh the short-term costs.
Engagement through peaceful means, such as dialogue and diplomacy, is the only legitimate and effective way to promote democracy in the region. The United States can and will help but, ultimately, stable and secure democracies in the Middle East can only be built from within.
Your support helps POMED continue our expert analysis and research, nonpartisan advocacy efforts, and partnerships with grassroots organizations in the MENA region.
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