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The Layalina Review

VOL. V NO. 5, February 13-February 26, 2009

Striking a Balance in the Middle East

At the 45th Munich Security Conference, Vice President Joe Biden declared, "The threats we face have no respect for borders. No single country, no matter how powerful, can best meet them alone. We believe that international alliances and organizations do not diminish America's power -- they help us advance our collective security, economic interests and values. So we will engage. We will listen. We will consult. America needs the world, just as I believe the world needs America."

According to Muqtedar Khan for Al-Akhram Weekly, while Obama's "promise to listen implies empathy," the changes in foreign policy do not sufficiently change the goals of the United States, merely its tactics. He believes Biden's comments appealed to European leaders who hoped that a "weakened America would once again return to them, seeking help and in the process restoring their own influence."

Biden spoke following the recent Iranian launch of its first homemade satellite into space, the 30th anniversary of its Islamic Revolution, the continued Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Kyrgyzstan's announcement that it will close a vital US air force base in its territory following reported Russian pressure.

As Jon Alterman writes for CSIS, "The problems of the Middle East now encompass some of the most important challenges to US power and influence in the world." Alterman believes that viewing the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region as the "source of direct threats to US national security" reflects the importance of energy security and dependence on oil, a greater military influence throughout national policy, and a recognition of the international scope of the conflicts.

He argues that "we are likely to see a far more militarized and security-driven US approach to the region than many were predicting before the president took office just a few weeks ago."

Marc Gopic for Syria Comment notes, "The key to the future of the Middle East is a revolution in the Syrian/American relationship that will help to re-balance the American historical bias in favor of reactionary forces in Israel." This requires the Obama administration to discourage geographical and religious divides in the Middle East, and support power sharing which relies on "tolerant forms of Islam that are indigenous to Syria and Turkey to form the basis for a new approach to politics in the Middle East."

Gopic believes the US must perform a balancing act, arguing for both Israeli and Palestinian interests. Gopic fears that, due to the powerful Israeli lobby in the country, "an emotional war over anti-Semitism and Israel's fate could be spawned in the United States, a war that will take down this President from his ambitious and idealistic agenda." According to Gopic, a diplomatic campaign "for the heart and soul of Washington and the American people" is necessary to retain Obama's "idealistic" policies.

John K. Hartman, visiting professor of journalism at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, told the Saudi Gazette that greater dialogue and understanding is important for improved relations with nations such as Saudi Arabia, despite cultural differences. "The countries would do well to try to learn more about each other. I think, all things being equal, we should try to become better friends."

Khan cautions that "America will be judged by its actions not by its promises. Indeed, these ambitious promises of change will make the judgment even harsher," particularly if the US' enemies believe it is in a less powerful position despite its diplomatic overtures.

The initial progress is heartening, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. According to Reuters, Mottaki said: "If the American administration wants to keep up with the changes, this will be happy news. … We think these changes will provide good opportunities for the American administration in its relations with the countries of the world." Back to articles.