February 21, 2006Public Diplomacy WatchThroughout the Islamic world, people are beginning to make their voices heard in free elections. I’ll never forget waking up in the morning and seeing the pictures in my newspaper, somewhat blurry because of the tears in my eyes -- of the long lines of men and women in Afghanistan and later Iraq -- defying the threat of death to vote for a better future -- and raising purple ink-stained fingers in triumph. Think about the enormity of what we have witnessed in a very short time: two elections in Afghanistan for a president and a parliament; three elections in Iraq for a constitution, an interim and permanent government, two in Egypt for President and Parliament, two in the Palestinian territories, one in Lebanon, and municipal elections in Saudi Arabia. Some of these elections were more open and freer than others, each had a very different outcome, yet each was a part of fostering freedom by encouraging debate, stimulating discussion, allowing greater participation of people who deserve to chart their own course to their future. The best spin on a hugely complex situation--basically trying to sketch a rational middle-way forward as policy is formed reactively, somewhat on the fly, with the general aim of moving Hamas towards the two-state option? Or, worse, uneven rhetoric, riddled with contradictions, hypocrisies even ("better services")--with democratic processes being met by diktats (albeit saccharine-infused), all but guaranteeing a highly skeptical reception? I'll try to weigh in later, but welcome commenters' views.... Posted by Gregory at February 21, 2006 05:16 AM | TrackBack (0)Comments
The best spin on a hugely complex situation--basically trying to sketch a rational middle-way forward as policy is formed reactively, somewhat on the fly, with the general aim of moving Hamas towards the two-state option? Or, worse, uneven rhetoric, riddled with contradictions, hypocrisies even ("better services")--with democratic processes being met by diktats (albeit saccharine-infused), all but guaranteeing a highly skeptical reception? Good questions. Please provide your approach which you feel confident to have better success. I am pleased to report that I don't have any. Posted by: Kevin P. at February 21, 2006 12:10 PM | Permalink to this comment"Break(ing) up the sclerotic power structures of the ME" was how I think it was put by the latest retired public servant angling for a book deal. I can't disagree with this assesment. The question is what do you replace these with? We have rolled the dice and will have to bear the consequences. It is entirely naive to think that we would have been able to fight this kind of extremism with an ad campaign. Posted by: Chuck at February 21, 2006 04:29 PM | Permalink to this commentOne possible explanation is they don't know what to do, so they just kick the can down the road aways. Posted by: Chris at February 21, 2006 05:03 PM | Permalink to this commentHughes: we must all share the same principles Say, BD... Why don't you explain in a separate essay what you consider the minimum shared principles of society. Posted by: sbw at February 21, 2006 06:22 PM | Permalink to this commentI'm sorry but didn't anyone else read the second sentence - the blurry eyes, and see overly dramatic emotionally wrought crap... I mean give me a break - surely people don't actually believe that?? I'd expect Senior Government officials to spare us the dramatics and stick to making objective statements. Or am I alone in this? Posted by: Aran Brown at February 23, 2006 10:29 PM | Permalink to this commentcheckers Probaly you should read this. checkers Hope this helps. See you next life. Buy checkers now Posted by: checkers at March 28, 2006 07:31 AM | Permalink to this commentgolf Probaly you should read this. golf Hope this helps. See you next life. Buy golf now Posted by: golf at March 28, 2006 08:21 AM | Permalink to this commentgolf Probaly you should read this. golf Hope this helps. See you next life. Buy golf now Posted by: golf at March 28, 2006 08:21 AM | Permalink to this comment |
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