I’m not expert enough on Middle Eastern politics to know whether it was wise for the United States to join he coalition taking military action against the Libyan government.<\/p>\n
Toppling dictators and thugs is, on one level, a gratifying business.\u00a0 And it was painful to watch as Muammar Gaddafi’s troops closed in on rebels fighting for regime change.<\/p>\n
Hopefully the world’s intervention can bring about a quick and positive transition of power, without a lengthy entanglement.<\/p>\n
I am concerned, however, that this decision to resort to military action betrays a misunderstanding about the real meaning of the remarkable events of the Cairo Spring, both to the region and to the world.<\/p>\n
Broadly speaking, we have learned in recent months that there is extensive political support in the Middle East for creating sustainable democracies, productive economies, and civil societies where the rule of law prevails.<\/p>\n
The portrait of the “Muslim Street” that many Americans had internalized — one of chaotic fist-shaking masses, of a society that will always collaborate at least passively with terrorists — has been turned on its head.<\/p>\n
We have seen women in leadership positions.\u00a0 We have seen peaceful expressions of political idealism.\u00a0 We have seen articulate, reasonable and courageous people demanding better and freer lives.<\/p>\n
All of which should lead the world back to the fundamental and inevitable question in that region:\u00a0 What do we do about Palestine?<\/p>\n
While largely peaceful revolutions were sweeping the Arab world, we have also seen indications that Palestinian leaders are also legitimately eager for a settlement.<\/p>\n
But the Israeli leadership continues to press disappointing policies that have nothing to do with national security — indeed, some of those policies are so provocative that they endanger the Israeli people.<\/p>\n
The most risky of these actions is the continued construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories.<\/p>\n
This is dangerous for two reasons.\u00a0 First, it weakens those elements in Palestinian society that appear to be searching in earnest for civilized co-existence with Israel.<\/p>\n
That can only embolden the deadly, terrorist factions that Israel faces.<\/p>\n
But the other risk to Israel is that the nation will continue to find itself more and more isolated in the world community.<\/p>\n
The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is already hugely controversial throughout the vast Islamic world and increasingly in much of the Western world.<\/p>\n
Imagine a future where Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Libya are functioning democracies, yet Palestinians still live under the control of the Israeli military.<\/p>\n
Surely that would be intolerable for many of Israel’s allies, and for many of Israel’s democracy-loving citizens.<\/p>\n