The measure of a civilized country is recognizing and embracing the commonality among people regardless of race, religion or cultural differences. I fear, however, that some political leaders’ lust for exploiting our differences for political gain fuels hatred and imprisons us in an uncivilized society.
It’s a challenge not to be pessimistic when we fail to understand history. Not only are we doomed to repeat our mistakes, but we seem to revel in the swampy waters of beating down war refugees, marginalizing ethnic and religious minorities by denying them jobs, and hounding people who don’t look like us out of neighborhoods through threats and intimidation. Hate groups, it seems, have earned a place at the table. Extremism is no longer extremism, but a legitimate political ideology.
On a larger scale of geopolitical theater we discard friends like throwing away an old T-shirt because the new one in the closet is more stylish, hip and shiny. I use the pronoun “we” because there is no one nation that can escape responsibility for what people are doing to each other. Who would have thought just a few years ago that countries famous for chocolates and gingerbread houses would be responsible for boiling a big pot of radical religious extremism through neglect and discrimination while at the same time stand by as neo-Nazis gain a following.
If there is one man who can help set the world on the right path that would be President Obama, who is in Saudi Arabia. Obama has built his legacy on engaging America’s enemies. We can argue over the wisdom of such a philosophy, but he deserves credit for accomplishing his mission. He now has Iran and Cuba as a pair of new allies.
But engaging one’s enemies in dialogue is only half the battle and it will only partially fulfill Obama’s legacy. This week the president has the unique opportunity to repair some serious damage between the United States and Saudi Arabia. How can Obama balance his new relationship with Iran and still maintain the best interests of Saudi Arabia and other GCC nations? After all, the US shares the same interests as the GCC. The GCC has held itself together and has been the model of stability and for the most part supports US military actions in Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia and the UAE in particular has been an active part of the military coalition in Syria despite the continuing war in Yemen.
The region’s fear is that if the US steps back from the Middle East, then sectarian violence will only worsen and ultimately engulf otherwise peaceful Arab nations. Taking a passive role in the Middle East, particularly in dealing with Daesh, the refugee problem and the Iranian-backed Houthis in Iran, will give some countries the license to enact extreme measures to tamp down on minorities on the pretext of fighting terrorism. The failure to articulate a strong, aggressive foreign policy will be divisive.
It would behoove the US and Saudi Arabia to re-establish a partnership that creates solidarity among western and Middle East countries with a common goal to defeat Daesh while at the same time use a level-headed approach to counter religious extremism brewing in the slums of Europe’s largest cities.
President Obama has demonstrated his capability of achieving almost the impossible with Iran and Cuba. Reinvigorating ties with Saudi Arabia is hardly a difficult challenge, especially when Saudi Arabia is a willing partner.
