The False Promise of Arab Liberals

In the months and years since September 11, the idea that the United States should be more active in promoting democracy in the Arab world has become commonplace. President Bush dedicated an entire speech to the subject on November 6, 2003 after raising the theme for almost a year. The president’s embrace of the idea followed months of pronouncements by senior U.S. government officials that addressed the need for political change in the Arab world — for American interests as well as those of the people in the region —and the need for the U.S. government to play an active role promoting such change.

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Jon B. Alterman
Senior Vice President, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and Director, Middle East Program

Jon B. Alterman