America Is a Barrier to Democracy in the Middle East

Individuals without any intention of becoming candidates for election who work in the American military are usually very truthful about America’s atrocious foreign policy.

The fact that America has, for several decades, helped oppressive dictatorships all over the Middle East to remain in power has no place in polite political debate today, even though this arrangement is intended to continue in its present form. Aaron David Miller, who has been the advisor to six Secretaries of State and is currently a researcher for the Woodrow Wilson Center, is not like those lying politicians.

He bemoans the worrisome prospect of the extinction of America’s puppet dictators in the Middle East. He says that many of the major – or not so major – figures that depended on America and held their nations people hostage are now gone or on their way out. He believes that the Arab Spring will change the system of American domination over the region.

Miller recalls the obedient authoritarian rulers, meaning the presidents and kings that America used to rely on to protect their interests. He says they were reliable friends, although not always pleasant; Mubarak in Egypt, King Hussein of Jordan, Ben Ali in Tunisia, Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen, The Loyal King Hassan II of Morocco and King Fahd and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. America’s collusion with these loyal individuals – and their sons, relatives and successors – wasn’t pretty, but it was obvious. The United States was supporting them in exchange for their cooperation in war, peace, oil and security as they ignored their lavish spending, human rights violations, authoritarian behavior and false reforms.

Despite the events of last year that have shaken the foundations of America’s long standing strategy in the important Middle East region – that of keeping merciless and obedient dictators in power – this strategy has still not been abandoned. Change has swept across the region and some countries are undergoing change now. America, however, still intensely focuses its influence on suppressing this change; it has been effective to a large extent.

In Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, a dictator friendly with America, is no longer president. In the month of Bahman last year [Translator Comment: February of this year], Yemenis participated in elections supported by America in order to begin a transition period needed to officially depose Saleh. In this election, they chose Abdurabu Mansur Hadi, Saleh’s vice president and the only name on the ballot.

After an agreement reached with America, Saleh has profited from total immunity regarding the crimes that have been committed under America’s authority. Right now America’s assistance has been resumed in order to strengthen Hadi. In exchange, Washington has received permission to expand drone operations with impunity. Most of Saleh’s friends are still in power and have relationships with America; he has not changed anything in particular in the government. In Egypt, the real center of the Arab uprisings, the military administration from the time of America’s puppet, Hosni Mubarak, is still running the country.

In Bahrain, the oppressive monarchy still endures after a year of protests for reform and against systematic murder and torture that continues with the assured support of the Obama administration. Bahrain is host to America’s fifth fleet. Washington views it as a geopolitical tool in the Persian Gulf and wants to use it as a bulwark against Iran. Since the Obama administration came to power, $92 million has been paid to Bahrain; $22.4 million more has been allocated to the country for this year and the next.

The Obama administration has quietly set into motion plans to sell weapons worth $53 million to the government of Bahrain, which were delayed following international pressure. The authoritarian regimes under American authority in this region include Saudi Arabia, Oman, U.A.E., Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan. Clearly, America still anxiously prevents any kind of democracy in the Middle East. American-backed despotism still reigns.