tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414025411716568353.post6295363874635678138..comments2023-10-17T05:20:29.635-04:00Comments on Shadowed Forest of World Politics: A New U.S. Mideast Policy?William deB. Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07103937881679464836noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414025411716568353.post-71527166925717701812011-02-20T08:58:03.714-05:002011-02-20T08:58:03.714-05:00Washington has tended to define "stability&qu...Washington has tended to define "stability" like a cook with the heat on high and the pot lid on tight: "stability" exists as long as the top does not blow off. But that is of course a very short-sighted definition of stability. Real stability is based on underlying dynamics in equilibrium, not the slow rise in pressure that preceeds an explosion.<br /><br />Tunisians and Egyptians have, over the past two months, taught Washington a lesson about the meaning of stability. In response, I think it is now fairly apparent that Washington policy-makers, long in denial, are beginning to reassess policy. They may indeed still yearn for good old dictators who will kowtow to Tel Aviv's most extreme right wing politicians, but I think Washington policy-makers are beginning to realize this might no longer be possible, that they may be forced fundamentally to reassess US policy toward a Muslim world that is awakening.<br /><br />In the US we have our own problems with democracy. The Wisconsin attack on the right of unions to organize and represent workers this week is a clear example of the right's desire to undermine democracy in the US. So I believe that Egyptians and others protesting in the Mideast are fighting our fight and wish them well not just because I sympathize with them but because real democracy (i.e., popular control over government officials) is a common good that thrives when shared.William deB. Millshttp://shadowedforest.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414025411716568353.post-15442436313858200282011-02-16T05:05:59.081-05:002011-02-16T05:05:59.081-05:00your analysis of US foreign policy is quite inform...your analysis of US foreign policy is quite informative and scholarly. There is quite a difference between what is US foreign policy now and what it ought to be. For a long while now US government has been supporting the dictator regimes just in the name maintaining stability in the middle east. This doctrine has done nothing but tarnish the moral image of US as a world leader.HURRIYYAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16278469524925626405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1414025411716568353.post-8544159850260745412011-02-16T04:28:36.536-05:002011-02-16T04:28:36.536-05:00Your analytic description of the present US foreig...Your analytic description of the present US foreign policy is quite informative and scholarly. There is quite a difference between what is US foreign policy now and what it ought to be. The US government has been pretending for a while as if what is the best for stability in the middle east is supporting the dictator regimes. That whole policy is now crippling. It sounds as if the US foreign policy is echoing the pessimistic believe that once true democracy is allowed in the Arab world it will always lead to the birth of hardliner regimes like that of Iran.HURRIYYAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16278469524925626405noreply@blogger.com