Posted on 01/30/2006 8:17:03 AM PST by Valin
A year ago this time, it appeared as if freedom, at long last, was working its miracles in the stubborn sands of the Arab world. The Purple Thumb Revolution was sweeping through Iraq; Palestinians had given Mahmoud Abbas a resounding democratic mandate; and the Cedar Revolution was primed to push Syria’s puppets out of Lebanon. With a mix of worry and wonder, Fouad Ajami played Middle East meteorologist and concluded, “Now, the Arabs, grasping for a new world, and the Americans, who have helped usher in this unprecedented moment, together ride this storm wave of freedom.”
Last week, the storm ripped through proto-Palestine, leaving in its wake a democratically blessed Hamas in firm control of the Palestinian parliament—and realists and idealists alike shaking their heads in shock.
But should we be surprised by the results? As Robert Kaplan observed in 1999, “If a society is not in reasonable health, democracy can be not only risky but disastrous.” Impoverished by corruption, deformed by terror, and victimized by the dreadful decisions of its own leaders, proto-Palestine is the epitome of an unhealthy society.
Typically, some blame Washington for letting loose these unpredictable, uncontrollable storm clouds. The A.P., for instance, concluded that the Hamas victory “raised questions about the U.S. policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East.” UPI added, “Hamas’s new victory will upset the established order…it will also present a new dilemma to the Bush Administration that has been calling for democratic reforms in the Middle East and cannot ignore the outcome of a democratic election.” (Of course, those who blame Washington for this unwelcome democratic outcome never credited Washington when the storms yielded freedom-loving leaders in Kabul and Baghdad.)
For his part, President Bush argues that the Palestinian people were voting not for a terrorist group, but against the corruption-plagued remnants of Arafat’s Fatah organization, which controls the public services and (foreign largesse) of proto-Palestine. “People are demanding honest government,” he said. “People want services; they want to raise their children in a decent environment.”
While there’s much truth to the notion of an anti-corruption backlash, it’s disappointing and distressing to think that the only vehicle for good government in Gaza is driven by mass-killers. “I don't see how you can be a partner in peace if you advocate the destruction of a country as part of your platform,” Bush observed. Added Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, “You cannot have one foot in politics and another in terror.”
Indeed, it pays to recall that Hamas is responsible for scores of terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. Perhaps its most infamous attack was the Passover Massacre in March 2002, which saw a suicide bomber kill 26 Israelis as they celebrated the Seder.
Moreover, according to the U.S. State Department, Hamas’s stated aim is not neighborly cooperation, but rather “establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel.” It is no surprise that its patrons include Iran.
Its credo, known as the “Martyrs’ Oath,” includes such venom as this: “Our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious.... The Movement is but one squadron that should be supported by more and more squadrons from this vast Arab and Islamic world, until the enemy is vanquished and Allah’s victory is realized…. It strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine…. There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad.”
Not exactly Locke or Jefferson.
But all hope is not lost. Four decades of rule by one party—and by one man until very recently—are finally over for the Palestinian people. Likewise, as one Israeli strategist said after the vote, “the era of the pretend peace process” is over. Perhaps an era of realism can now begin.
As for the idealists who believe free government is a key ingredient to solving terror, we should look for silver linings as the storm passes. As British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the BBC, “The onus is now on Hamas to choose between democracy or violence.” Hamas could yet put down the sword of terror to wield the gavel of government. That may seem unlikely, but its leaders and followers are arguably closer to that pivot point now than they have been for some time.
To extend Rice’s metaphor, one foot in terror and one in politics is just a step away from both feet in politics. If Hamas takes that step—and that’s far from certain—this democratic disaster could become yet another democratic miracle.
Alan Dowd is a contributing writer with The American Enterprise, a weekly columnist for The American Enterprise Online, and a senior fellow at Sagamore Institute for Policy Research.
“People are demanding honest government,” he said. “People want services; they want to raise their children in a decent environment.”
----
Just more of the utopian thinking that has wasted decades of lives and money on the Pals. Ain't gonna happen, until that place is CLEANED OUT...
Outstanding point. The only problem, as I see it, is that this statement could apply to many parts of the U.S. as much as it applies to the Middle East.
I cringe every time I hear some D.C. politician provide us with one of those silly, tiresome "making the world safe for democracy" sound bites when discussing U.S. foreign policy.
Democracy at work. Shocking? Isn't this what we promote as part of our policy in the Middle East? You win some, you lose some.
That fiction is over, and we are free to proclaim that our hostile intent is directed at the terror-embracing Palestinian people themselves.
Our bombs don't have to be all that smart anymore.
Yup.
Palestine is another example of failed socialism. I realize the religious conflict dates by 1400 years, but no man who is given everything has ever bettered himself. It is still beyond me as to why the world pumps money into this mess. They would have a lot less time to fulminate violence if they had to create some value to survive.
Democracy at work. Shocking? Isn't this what we promote as part of our policy in the Middle East? You win some, you lose some.
Hold on there! Don't understand it's the end of the world?
Now we have to nuke Gaza.
"To extend Rice’s metaphor, one foot in terror and one in politics is just a step away from both feet in politics. If Hamas takes that step—and that’s far from certain—this democratic disaster could become yet another democratic miracle."
Bush has introduced democracy to the middle east, the more elements of civilization we introduce into these societies the harder it will be for their old school leaders to maintain the past. I always knew you couldn't just impose a new order on the Arab world, but you can break the status quo, then try to influence what follows. Bush has introduced new elements to these old cultures, and I think that bodes well for the future.
I think that the Hamas victory is going to be cleansing for the Palistinians. There was a Palestinian leader quoted on the radio this morning talkng about how they are going to start imposing Sharia Law, etc.
Which I just bet is something the average Hamas voter wasn't thinking of when they went to the polls. They saw Hamas as the alternative choice to corruption ... were voting against the Fatah leadership rather than voting for Hamas.
Now they have to face what they've done, and I doubt they'll be too happy with themselves. Hamas will overreach (as they're already doing) in claiming their mandate and a sizeable chunk of their voters will have buyer's remorse. It's a prescription for a more reasonable (and honest) government being brought to power the next time around.
The two important things that the external world have to focus on right now are 1.) Containing Hamas without generating sympathy for it while also giving it enough rope to hang itself in its overreaching and 2.) Ensuring that the next time elections happen they are open, honest and free.
Keep democracy in place, and eventually the Palis will probable start tending towards more reasonable leaders. Eventually the general population has to tire of the lousy conditions that come from making bad choices.
OK, but I would like just a few more years of my retirement before WW IV is started.
Self-immolation may be a shame, but is not a disaster.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.