A recent study based upon extensive polling of Arabs in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Lebanon was released publicly by the head of the Arab American Institute and delivered to Congressional Foreign Affairs Subcommittees. The basic findings were that many Arabs still admire the stated values of the American people, but that they dislike and distrust the current US policies that seem at odds with those values. Dr. Zogby, head of the Institute, testified that in almost every category reflecting Arab perception of America, US policies were the decisive factor driving up the negatives.
[Dr. Zogby] told the Congressional committee that the survey showed the most significant policy issues shaping negative attitudes were "our treatment of the Palestinians, our policy in Iraq, and our overall treatment of Arabs and Islam in general - sometimes citing specific practices (detention, torture, etc.) These negative behaviors combine to call into question our adherence to our stated values."
Among respondents from Arab groups most likely to look favorably upon the US, the solid majority rejected the idea of US intervention and US assistance in promoting “freedom and Democracy” within their countries. The response was favorable to traditional types of foreign aid to assist in education, health care and building capacity to improve the standard of living in Arab countries but which respected sovereignty. However, even those who value (America's) "freedom and democracy" did not want the US style of meddling in their countries internal affairs to promote those values.
Saudi Arabians, probably the closest allies to the Bush Administration, indicated by a 52% majority that they admired the values of freedom and democracy, but only 8% approved of US Arab policies. In Egypt, 60% approved of American people, but only 1% approved of US policies regarding Arabs and Palestinians. And in recent months, that favorable rating of the American people has dropped to 23%. Similar survey results were found across the Arab world.
"Make no mistake," Zogby declared. "The situation of the Palestinians, (US) actions and policies in Iraq, (America's) perceived complicity in last year's war in Lebanon, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, secret prisons, and last year's Dubai Ports World debacle have taken and continue to take a toll on America's standing" in the Arab world.
Such results are reminiscent of the statement by Vladimir Putin to George W. Bush that the US could keep their brand of “freedom and democracy,” as represented by the current US foreign policy. The results also reflect the predicted "who will be next?" fear arising from the US invasion of Iraq. Those who detested Saddam Hussein still question what is to stop Bush from invading their country for the purpose of regime change in the guise of the so-called "war on terror."
[Dr. Zogby] told the Congressional committee that the survey showed the most significant policy issues shaping negative attitudes were "our treatment of the Palestinians, our policy in Iraq, and our overall treatment of Arabs and Islam in general - sometimes citing specific practices (detention, torture, etc.) These negative behaviors combine to call into question our adherence to our stated values."
Among respondents from Arab groups most likely to look favorably upon the US, the solid majority rejected the idea of US intervention and US assistance in promoting “freedom and Democracy” within their countries. The response was favorable to traditional types of foreign aid to assist in education, health care and building capacity to improve the standard of living in Arab countries but which respected sovereignty. However, even those who value (America's) "freedom and democracy" did not want the US style of meddling in their countries internal affairs to promote those values.
Saudi Arabians, probably the closest allies to the Bush Administration, indicated by a 52% majority that they admired the values of freedom and democracy, but only 8% approved of US Arab policies. In Egypt, 60% approved of American people, but only 1% approved of US policies regarding Arabs and Palestinians. And in recent months, that favorable rating of the American people has dropped to 23%. Similar survey results were found across the Arab world.
"Make no mistake," Zogby declared. "The situation of the Palestinians, (US) actions and policies in Iraq, (America's) perceived complicity in last year's war in Lebanon, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, secret prisons, and last year's Dubai Ports World debacle have taken and continue to take a toll on America's standing" in the Arab world.
Such results are reminiscent of the statement by Vladimir Putin to George W. Bush that the US could keep their brand of “freedom and democracy,” as represented by the current US foreign policy. The results also reflect the predicted "who will be next?" fear arising from the US invasion of Iraq. Those who detested Saddam Hussein still question what is to stop Bush from invading their country for the purpose of regime change in the guise of the so-called "war on terror."
In what some have called an egotistical and vainglorious attempt to build a personal legacy, George W. Bush has pursued a strategy of “cowboy” diplomacy and uninvited intervention into the affairs of other sovereign nations to promote what he calls “democracy.” Bush apparently assumes that the Arab world is blind or lacks intelligence. In this global information age, people all over the world are well aware of serious issues that have arisen regarding GOP tampering with US elections [and allegations of having attempted to do so in Mexico and other Latin American countries] and Bush government intrusion on domestic civil rights and liberties of American citizens. How valuable and durable is a system being promoted, they ask, when it can be so easily broken by a single administration? Add to these perceptions the evidence of how the US has behaved internationally [condoning torture - Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, Secret Prisons; illegal kidnapping - Extraordinary Renditions, the Italian Incident, etc.; condoning use of chemical weapons - " willie pete" in Fallujah, Israeli attacks in Southern Lebanon; execution and rape of civilians - eg. Haditha] and it is no mystery why the stature of the US government has fallen so steeply abroad.
Shirin Abadi, the first Muslim woman and first Iranian to win the Nobel Peace prize succinctly described the current problem with the credibility and reputation of the US under Bush: “Democracy promotion is seen as a euphemism for regime change. You cannot deliver democracy with guns and bombs."
Dr Zogby testified to the Congressional Subcommittees that the most effective first step to resurrect the reputation of the US government in the Arab world is to listen to what the Arab people, collectively, are telling us. This resounding message is not tied to any particular conflict or political party or relationship with a specific leader. The obvious message that comes through from the voices of Arabs across the entire spectrum reflects their rejection of the Bush Administration policies toward the Arab world. But President Bush has not shown a significant capacity to listen to the views, opinions or advice of others that do not agree with him. So, as long as he continues to serve up his brand of “freedom and democracy,” the Arab world will continue to respond, NO THANK YOU!
Shirin Abadi, the first Muslim woman and first Iranian to win the Nobel Peace prize succinctly described the current problem with the credibility and reputation of the US under Bush: “Democracy promotion is seen as a euphemism for regime change. You cannot deliver democracy with guns and bombs."
Dr Zogby testified to the Congressional Subcommittees that the most effective first step to resurrect the reputation of the US government in the Arab world is to listen to what the Arab people, collectively, are telling us. This resounding message is not tied to any particular conflict or political party or relationship with a specific leader. The obvious message that comes through from the voices of Arabs across the entire spectrum reflects their rejection of the Bush Administration policies toward the Arab world. But President Bush has not shown a significant capacity to listen to the views, opinions or advice of others that do not agree with him. So, as long as he continues to serve up his brand of “freedom and democracy,” the Arab world will continue to respond, NO THANK YOU!
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