Posted on 01/01/2009 6:29:21 PM PST by CE2949BB
Washington, D.C.--The acts of war by Hamas against Israel are precisely what people should expect from Bush’s so-called democracy strategy in the Middle East.
The administration campaigned for elections in the strongholds of various Islamist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, groups that it should have worked to destroy. In the Palestinian territories, Bush insisted that Hamas be allowed to participate in the 2006 elections--and the jihadist group won a landslide. Thanks to that political victory, Hamas gained an unearned legitimacy for its vicious war to exterminate Israelis and Westerners. Winning power with the aid of their enemy confirmed for these Islamists that the West will abet its own destroyers.
America’s self-defense entails crushing Islamic totalitarianism--not ushering its jihadists into political office and galvanizing them to redouble their war against us.
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Elan Journo is available for interviews. To interview Mr. Journo or book him for your show, please e-mail media@aynrandcenter.org.
For more articles by Elan Journo, and his bio, click here.
For the love of God, please read the whole thing before condemning the author.
Note this part:
“America’s self-defense entails crushing Islamic totalitarianism—not ushering its jihadists into political office and galvanizing them to redouble their war against us.”
It should be however applied selectively. Look at Turkey or the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq... it works there.
In other cases a pro-Western authocracy is preferable.
We have to look out for our interests, and stability of pro-Western governments should be the prime interest. In some places, were the people are evolved enough, democracy can take root and should be supported.
"Democracy" in the islamic world doesn't come overnight, and it's never perfect as it isn't in any other place.
It is a process which a)needs a pushing start b)stability and security to evolve and c)secularism/western orientation.
Turkey went through that process throughout the 20th century and so far has largely (comparatively) stayed well on the path. The Iraqi Kurds are in the middle of this process aswell. Iran went through the westernisation/secularisation process, but on the authoritarian path, which ended unfortunately in the islamic "republic".
Eternal vigilance is the other important factor. Iran wasn't vigilant on the threat of islamism. Turkey has to watch out, and take care it doesn't fall victim to it.
The Palestinian areas are entirely different from the rest of the Middle East though. They are not a proper state, have no semblance of proper governmental institutions, are entirely based on the hatred/hostility towards Israel and have not the slightest economical structure.
Any other Islamic country shines brightely compared to the Palestinian areas. Democracy there would inevitably lead to the victory of terrorists.
“I think defense of the western world is reason enough.”
I agree, and that’s why I supported the war in Iraq. But the idea that we are doing it to transform it into a democracy is a lousy justification.
It’s not our job to change the world.
I wouldn’t say I strongly disagree. In fact, I think the article has a point, that is, pointing out the consequence of pushing democracy on place like Gaza. I’m sure the administration was aware about the possibility of Hamas winning. The fact that they were pushing for it perhaps shows that they believed Hamas could be ‘tamed’, or they really really thought democracy will sort out everything anyway at the end.
I still think that wherever Democracy is tried in the Islamic world - Pakistan, Palestine, Iran, etc. the radicals get elected as most voters in these countries are Muslims.
In order for Democracy - as viewed traditionally in the west, to succeed, you need certain other ingedients besides besides a ballot box.
You need respect for minority rights, you need tolerance of varying opinions, you need an educated electorate. All of these are lacking in Islamic societies and in some cases contrary to Koranic teaching.
In short, for Democracy to suceed in the Islamic world, you ahve to de-Islamicize the population.
I believe Bush’s foreign policies, in some cases, were naive and unrealistic and shaped by pro-Islamists and neo-cons in his administration.
The title is too categorical. We have wisely supported Jordan’s King Abdullah with his enlightened autocratic rule rather than urge more power for his parliament, democratically elected but too pro-Islamist. Likewise Egypt’s Mubarak and even the House of Saud, whom we’ve nudged toward democracy only very gently (well, the al-Sauds were very frank that Osama bin Laden could win a democratic election there, and we were realistic). In Lebanon, a fragile and compromised democracy is at hanging on to legitimacy, after a fashion. That said, the Bush policy of democratic elections for the Palestinians, elections to form fully empowered, not limited, governments, was a lousy idea, and compleyely predictable. A limited parliament with the best strongman that could be found as the ultimate “decider” was the better option, and we’ve since recognized that by propping up Abu Abbas in the West Bank against Hamas in Gaza. The next West Bank elections will surely be “handled” in such a way as to ensure Fatah’s continued power there.
The so-called “Bush Doctrine”:
To the islamist philistinians: “Take Gaza and take the West Bank. Condi’ll help you.” Esentially cutting Israel in half.
To the Islamists in Waziristan: “BOOM!!!”
Then holding hands with, and kissing that filthy saudi/wahabbist prince when they and their oil should should have been the first target in this so-called “War On Terror.
There’s plenty more. And with 0bama coming into office, man,are we in trouble.
RE :”Oh, come on. Bush is a blithering idiot, period’
I used to believe the Hannity-Coulter talking points that GWB was brilliant and just being victimized as a threat(like in books ‘Slander’ and ‘Treason’). And I used to defend him. But about two years ago I figured out the dems were right on this and my side was wrong. And this is very painful because I hate them, and his ‘idiot’ gave everything to Obama/Pelosi.
Democracy, in the sense of free elections in a free enviroment, has never been tried in Iran since the Constitutional Revolution 1906... and back then pro-constitution, pro-limited power, pro-modernisation forces won. From 1921-79 Iran was a pro-western, secular autocratic monarchy with a virtually powerless parliament. The only exception being the time from 1941-53... and back then the strongest forces were secular nationalists, monarchists, liberals, communists and representatives of certain professions (toilers, merchants etc.). Islamic "conservative" voices weren't dominating and far from unified.
Since 1979 Iran has not seen free and fair elections. They are sham elections, starting with the ridiculous faux "referendum" 1980 in which supposedly over 90% of Iran voted for the islamic republic.
Elections in Gaza were a wise move. It forced Hamas out of hiding and into the public ranks of official order. Israel is now fighting an established government on terms of war rather than ambiguous indigenous civilian war against an alleged social welfare group.
oy.
Excellent point. Now that there are organized Hamas “security” forces, they are way easier to fight then before.
Hamas Covenant 1988
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp
Thanks to FReeper bethybabes69 for the link (today).
lol
Yeah, like GW made a concious effort to hand over the fed to the left. I sort of want the next repub president just to be enough....protect us, do enough to keep government from growing and put in good judges....other than that, just maintain the ship.
I can understand your concern considering what we have been through with GWB. What we need is a intelligent conservative (not big government-Wall street type ) who is articulate and understands importance of selling his conservative ideals.
call me a “whatever” but largely, democracy seems to work best in ex English colonys, except Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Other than that, some wise men saw through the devine Right of Kings, directly to the Devive Right of the Individual. Magna Carta to our Constitution. Evolution of Anglo-Saxon thought /government, throw in Adam Smith and it’s a 1000 to nothing football game (no competition, and they fumble a lot and arm tackle)
“Trying to bring democratic and representative reform to these nations is not a mistake.”
I agree, once the terrorists went legit as an elected body, the international handouts stopped and they had to start functioning as a government accountable to voters, instead of a Marxist revolutionary force being funded by Commies and gullible Americans.
SLA
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