Learning lessons from the “Arab-Spring”

The sudden burst of “Arab Spring” created a difficult dilemma for the Western leaders in general but the US leadership in particular. This fast evolving phenomenon exposed Western hypocrisy for paying only lip service for the cause of ‘real democracy’

The struggle for democratically elected and publicly accountable governments in numerous Arab/Islamic countries continues and may not produce the desired results in the foreseeable future. Undoubtedly, this situation has put various governments in the West and especially that of the United States in a very difficult position. As every one knows, self-righteous Western leaders have been giving repeated sermons about the need and importance of having democratic governments in various Arab/Islamic countries. However, the reality is that every Western government has always found it much easier and also much more profitable to do business with the most corrupt and ruthless dictatorial regimes around the world and especially those in the Arab/Islamic world.

For instance, the most repressive regimes in Arab/Islamic countries such as the one controlling rich oil fields of Saudi Arabia, absolute monarchs of Jordan and Morocco, amirs and sheikhs of Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, military dictators of Pakistan, Egypt and Chile: just to name a few, have been among the ‘darling regimes’ of the West.

The two most important requirements for becoming the most valuable or closest ally of the West and especially that of the United States are:

1. Unwavering commitment to provide cheap supply of crude oil and natural gas and other natural resources;

2. Serving faithfully and acting forcefully for protecting and advancing the strategic and economic interests of the West/ United States.

Consequently, the kings of Saudi Arabia, the rulers of the Gulf Arab states and some of the most despised and ruthless military dictators such as Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and late General Zia-ul-Haq are or have been on the top of the US list of its closest and ‘trusted allies’.

This criterion is exactly in line with the one established by the late US President, Richard M. Nixon who declared that: “The US has neither permanent friends nor permanent enemies: it has only permanent interests”.

The sudden burst of “Arab Spring” created a difficult dilemma for the Western leaders in general but the US leadership in particular. This fast evolving phenomenon exposed Western hypocrisy for paying only lip service for the cause of ‘real democracy’. Obviously, it is extremely hard for the West and especially for the US to ignore or abandon its major economic and military interests in order to bring democracy to the Arab countries. In addition, the governance systems and practices in the vast majority of Arab/Islamic countries are deeply entrenched in the ancient societal value system which essentially is a bad marriage between the so called “Islamic teachings’ and the primitive tribal culture.

It should be recalled that during the early days of the uprising in Tunisia, the entire Arab leadership preferred to remain silent. However, when the unrest spilled over to Egypt and then to Libya, the Arab League held its first meeting at Cairo and voted unanimously for imposing a “no-fly zone”over Libya. The reason given was that the Qaddafi regime was attacking and killing its own people but in fact the decision was based on the common dislike of Col. Qaddafi.

Amazingly, instead of agreeing to take any concrete action by themselves in order to rectify the situation in Libya, the League wanted the UN or NATO countries, presumably led by the United States – to do all the needed dirty work on their behalf.

It seems strange that only a few days after the Cairo meeting, its oil rich members namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman which have formed a separate entity called G.C.C; sent their troops marching into Bahrain. This step was taken to “assist the tiny Bahraini King and his government” to crush public demonstrations and remain in power.

In other words, according to the Arab League and the G.C.C , member countries, removing Qaddafi should be the responsibility of UN or the West. However, fabulously wealthy Arab kings, emirs and sheikhs cannot tolerate to see one of their fellow “royals” to be removed from power by their own dissatisfied public. It does not matter if the military and police in Bahrain have also attacked and killed peaceful demonstrators there as Qaddafi is doing in Libya.

The Arab League also ignored the fact that one of its richest and most influential member, Saudi Arabia had already offered its warm hospitality to the ruthless and corrupt Tunisian dictator who along with his Family is now living in Jeddah. It must also be pointed out that Saudi and Israeli leaders were the two strongest supporters of another corrupt dictator namely Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. Saudi Arabia even offered to pay $ 1.5 billion annually in case the US withdraws its annual financial and military aid to Egypt. But to their credit, the Egyptian people continued their struggle and forced Mr. Mubarak to resign.

Fearful of facing public uprising in his own kingdom, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia after returning home from his medical treatment in the US, distributed billions of dollars to his already very well-off subjects. Other benevolent rulers of oil rich kingdoms and sheikhdoms in the Gulf region quickly followed his example and gave generously large sums of money to their people.  It is ironic that these rulers who have billions of dollars of cash reserves in foreign banks, do not have much concerns or sympathy for millions of poor, destitute and unemployed young Tunisians, Egyptians or Yemenis.

Right now, the helpless but determined masses in Syria are fighting hard and shedding their blood on daily basis to demand their basic human rights and freedoms. Once again, the Arab League and especially its enormously wealthy members are sitting on the side lines. Amazingly, the rest of the Arab/Islamic world with the sole exception of Turkey seems to be unconcerned about the indiscriminate and brutal killings of innocent Syrians by their own military. Even the democracy loving “West” seems to be either unwilling or unable to do anything except repeat some very familiar mother-hood statements of condemnation. Their primary concern seems to be the ‘instability’ which may result from the fall of Bahsar Al Asad regime. Wow! Can anyone notice the instability that the poor Syrians are facing right now!

Lessons for the Arab masses and for the Pakistani people 

1. Stop hating and blaming the West and especially the US for all the ills facing you and your country because other nations and their leaders always safeguard their own interests when dealing with others. Better spend your time and energy in forcing your own leadership to watch your interest first.

2.  All Arab countries and majority of Islamic countries have been ruled by non-democratic form of governments. Consequently, it will be foolish to expect that all these kings, sheiks, emirs and military dictators will gladly embrace ‘democracy’, give up their power and pave the way for the success of “Arab Spring”.

3. The biggest hurdle that can and will stop the advance of “Arab Spring” are the oil rich regimes of Gulf Arab states led by Saudi Arabia.  It is also fair to conclude that the present day Arab kings and sheiks etc. do not favour the establishment of a truly democratic Palestinian state in their neighbourhood. Such an outcome will definitely catalyze the start of demolition of many kingdoms and sheikdoms in the region.

4.  Pakistani people must realize that no other nation, even the People’s Republic of China, can be the ultimate ‘saviour’ of Pakistan. As is the case with the US or any other world power, China will always take actions which are in line with their own national interests.

5. Pakistani people must recognize that the rigid version of Islam minted in and imported from Saudi Arabia, is tearing apart their national identity, socio-economic fabric of their society and destroying the civilized and peaceful image of Pakistan around the world.

Hence, Pakistani people need to re-evaluate their thinking as to who are their real friends and who are their worst enemies!