My friend the internationally renowned photographer and writer Reem Al-Faisal insists that I am a hopeless optimist. I say: Why not? Isn’t hope that rare commodity we desperately need today?
I know lots of things don’t look good these days. America is taking on the world, as the Economist puts it. Israel is taking on the Middle East. Russia is taking care of Chechnya, and AIDS is talking care of Africa. Iraq is worst off. Terrorism has flourished as never before. And no one is admitting any mistake, so what do I hope for?
I tell Reem, I tell you, the worst is over. We all made mistakes, big time, but we all realized them, even if we don’t confess.
America has already realized how its way of dealing with legitimate international concerns brought the world to this sorry pass. The US’ global image, including in allied countries, has never been worse.
Americans and American interests have never been less secure. It seems Bin Laden wrote a script and the US foolishly followed it — but, hopefully, no longer so.
The turn to the United Nation and the international community for consultation, authorization and help in Iraq is a good start. The official handover of authority to an Iraqi interim government is a step in the right direction.
The civilized way Saddam is being tried is a good sign. The Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Guantanamo prisoners is another good step. I expect more until Iraq is back in Iraqi hands.
We all realize our faults in dealing with terrorism. In the past, governments tended to appease terrorists, used them as pawns, tolerated hate speech and flawed banking and charity systems. Now we know better.
Partners like Saudi Arabia and America are cooperating to an unprecedented extent to turn the game rules against the bad guys. The world is united in its resolve against terror.
All, even rogue countries like North Korea and Israel, are starting to realize the error of their ways.
Steps like leaving Gaza and restarting peace talks are evidence of such realization. Hopefully, Russia will see its errors too. It hasn’t paid for America and Israel to meet group terror with state terror, and Russia’s experience is no better.
More meaningful steps are needed, but realizing one’s mistakes is the first step in the right direction.
How hopeful am I? Very. America, Russia, Britain, Israel and the Arab world may not change guards soon, but whoever takes the reins cannot ignore the lessons learned from this ordeal. Neither can the rest of us.
There is no way we would accept a return to a pre-Sept. 11 world. After all, we are an intelligent species, aren’t we? Who says amen?
