Miles's blog

I believe it is true that no two democracies have ever gone to war against one another.  Most democracies, aside from ancient Rome, are not very warmongering.  Sure America started some small fracases at the end of the 19^th century, but even then the only way to get popular approval was to whip up incitements.  (“Remember the Maine,” for example.)  Even World War II, the most stark good vs. evil battle in history where our friends were being swallowed up by a racist, fascist megalomaniac, was not something most Americans wanted to get involved in until Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

But I wonder if this tenet will still hold true when the political struggles of the Middle East are sorted out.  America is pushing for democracy around the world, and, of course, most of us think democracy is the most desirable system of government.  People should control their own leaders.  However, the results of democracy in that part of the world could, I fear, lead to governments which are antagonistic to western civilizations, specifically to America.

Hamas, which the United States has classified as a terrorist organization, is now supporting the rebels in Syria.  America is also supporting the rebels in Syria, as is the Arab League, Europe and pretty much every country in the world except Iran, Russia, and China.  Why would a terrorist group, sworn to destroy Israel, throw their support behind a popular uprising and against their longtime ally?  I can only believe it is because they think that should democracy take hold in Syria, a government would be elected favorable to Hamas’s interests.  Based on developments elsewhere in the Arab world, that seems to be a logical assumption. Egypt has elected a parliament comprised 60 percent by Muslim religious parties.  Despite out efforts in Afghanistan, it seems that most of the people there hate us, their leadership, which we installed, fails to support us, and that the Taliban, who we invaded to eliminate, is still able to kill large numbers of people.  What if we instill democracy in Afghanistan and they vote in the Taliban?  What would our efforts and losses have accomplished?

Americans, who revere democracy have never championed it very well in the Middle East.  We support a monarchy in Saudi Arabia, a kingdom in Jordan, and strongmen in the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.  The Iranian revolution prompting the capture of Americans in 1979 deposed the Shah of Iran, whom America and Britain had put on the throne.  

 

So I wonder how this part of the world will ultimately turn out once the current rulers are forced to leave or change.  What would we do if a democratically-elected government becomes the sponsor of al-Qaeda?  What should we do?  Do you truly believe that can’t happen?