These days whatever is happening in the Arab world reminds me of a book by George Orwell. Yes, I am talking about “Animal Farm.” Recently I re-read the book and still found it relevant. It appears to me as if many Orwellian farms are in the making all across the Arab world.
It is also very interesting to note that most of the Western nations that invest heavily in research projects failed to see the outcome of the so-called popular uprisings. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, from the outset had objected to the very nature of those uprisings. If world leaders review the overall situation objectively, they will be left with no choice but to revisit their stances on these uprisings and support the Saudi viewpoint.
Saudi Arabia is, undoubtedly, the main player in the regional politics with a better understanding of the people and the region. It would be difficult for an outsider to understand the dynamics of regional politics without considering Saudi viewpoints on various issues.
The world leaders made a grave mistake by ignoring Saudi concerns on the so-called Arab Spring. Now the entire region has turned into a cauldron of chaos, impact of which are being felt across the globe. Gone are the days when some parts of the world remain unfazed by the issues facing other regions of the world. We are all interconnected and interests are interwoven. I think the West is still not ready to heed Saudi concerns. Such an attitude will only aggravate the situation. Take for instance, Syria. Saudi Arabia wanted punitive action against the regime of President Bashar Assad. The US and its Western allies, instead, went for another option. This has only emboldened Assad and the end to the Syrian crisis in nowhere in sight.
The ongoing Syrian crisis has the potential to snowball and push the entire region into a never-ending chaos. We still have time to act. The West must pay heed to Saudi advice and take action against the Syrian regime before it is too late. Similarly, Saudi concerns on other issues in the region should be taken seriously so as to avoid further unrest. The West must realize that its inaction would only help radical elements. — Shabbir Ali, Riyadh
Orwell and the Middle East
