FCNL: Lebanon, and Democracy in the Middle East -- What is the U.S. Role?

FCNL: Lebanon, and Democracy in the Middle East -- What is the U.S. Role?

Recently, the focus in the Middle East has broadened beyond the war and occupation in Iraq. Elections in the Palestinian Territories and massive non-violent demonstrations in Lebanon remind us of the wider region’s conflicts, present and past, and opportunities for change. The Bush administration has cited these events as evidence of the success of its Iraq war campaign. Ironically, as the security situation in Iraq fails and reconstruction stalls, the President has pointed to these other areas and shouted, "Freedom is on the march."
Not so fast. First, if there is to be progress toward democracy and freedom in the Middle East, the United States must declare unequivocally that it has no imperial ambitions in Iraq. The President's refusal to state that the U.S. will leave Iraq is increasing violence in that country and instability in the region. Attention should not be turned away from the ongoing U.S. occupation. Secondly, the situation is not as simple as the Bush administration would like to claim. While some events do point to potential progress in the Middle East, the situation requires additional explanation.

Three New Articles

To help place these complex events in context, FCNL is distributing a new analysis about current events in Lebanon and two commentaries which analyzed the recent democratic openings in the Middle East.
FCNL is fortunate to have Helena Cobban, a member of Charlottesville (VA) Friends Meeting, examine the events currently unfolding in Lebanon. In "Decoding Lebanon," Helena explains the complexities of Lebanon's domestic politics and emphasizes the need for the U.S. and others to end outside pressure and influence in that country. Helena worked in Lebanon as a journalist from 1975 through 1981, and considers that her experiences there--trying to run a household and raising children under the conditions of a prolonged civil war--helped her to understand important aspects of the nature of violence and warfare.
Helena has also written a critique of the latest argument here in Washington that the new wave of democracy sweeping through the Middle East is a direct positive consequence of the U.S. decision to invade Iraq.
And finally, to round out the presentation, Senior Fellow Dan Smith has also developed an insightful commentary, Democracy Hijacked, on the same subject which FCNL is distributing today.

Decoding Lebanon by Helena Cobban -
http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=1267&issue_id=36

Democratization and War in the Middle East by Helena Cobban - http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=1279&issue_id=36

Democracy Hijacked by Col. Dan Smith -
http://www.fcnl.org/smith/dem_hijack.htm
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