IT HAS been proven that the United States of America is an expert in the ‘art’ of gaining enmity. For 65 years, it has provided nothing to the Middle East and the Arab world but grudges and confusion over its relations with governments in the region. The US ‘adopted’ Israel at the expense of the rights of Palestine, which has been witnessing massacres and displacement since the opening of the gate of military upheavals; starting from Egypt when it indirectly encouraged the late President Jamal Abdul Nasser to topple King Farouq.

The US abandoned historical alliances and stable regimes like Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Iran when it glared at the Shah and smiled at the mullahs who took the US Embassy staff as hostages once they rose to power. It has also disregarded civil wars and chaos in a number of Arab countries. Unfortunately, America has fallen onto the old track with its slogan, “Support democracy and respect human rights.” This democracy is vague and empty, like honey-coated poison aimed at provoking public revolt by raising slogans which the US needs more than any other country. It should promote a certain social behavior by controlling racism, as well as cultural and religious discrimination, before it even tries to ‘export’ its model of democracy to other nations.

Washington shares the same dominance policy with Tehran. Both of them want to control the region under the guise of exporting democracy from Washington and the revolution from Tehran. They are two faces of one coin; hence, the Arab countries look at them in a suspicious and hostile manner, particularly after the American administration unveiled its ugly side by supporting the Muslim Brotherhood — the womb through which the terrorist groups were born.

Apparently, the US has yet to learn from the past, specifically the way it deals with terrorist groups that emerged under its patronage only to rebel against it. These groups have become more hostile towards the US than any other enemy, just like Osama bin Laden. New terrorist groups have emerged and they have the ability to produce several bin Ladens through the institutions of power, similar to what happened in Egypt, Tunisia and other Arab countries which had been fooled by the American model of democracy.

It is no longer surprising if the American civil society institutions participate in the game because they are now controlled by a Jewish lobbyist who implements Israel’s policy against the neighboring countries, which should be feeble and involved in internal conflicts to ensure that Israel is the only powerful nation in the region. However, the US and the Jewish lobbyists must realize that what was applicable in the past is no longer suitable because the Arab and Gulf nations are now aware that America’s calls for democracy are nothing but lies aimed at depleting the region’s resources and hindering its development efforts. These nations got stuck with their rulers as it happened in Kuwait when some people raised the American slogans to instigate chaos in the country. Luckily, chaos got nipped in the bud through the wisdom of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the support of the people.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnessed a similar scenario, but its leaders and the people outrightly rejected the fake ‘commodity’. The wise Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques knows well the needs of his people, so he spares no effort in securing the Kingdom without the confusing policy of the US. The US should overcome its shortsightedness if it is keen on gaining the sympathy of other nations and to protect its interests in the region. It must recognize the importance of establishing proper and balanced relations with the countries in the region. It should benefit from its good and well-applauded deeds, such as its contributions to the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi invaders. Sadly, the US gradually lost whatever it gained at the time. Will it learn from the liberation or will it adopt a mechanism for gaining Arab enmity?

By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times