By Joseph R. Cerami
Special to the American-Statesman
A recent column by David Brooks of The New York Times was titled the “Dullest Campaign Ever.” Perhaps.
To those who follow American politics, especially on the internet, C-SPAN, cable news and talk radio, the election season seems like it has been going on forever. And actually — if the election cycle follows past patterns — the “issue focus” part should begin in earnest after Labor Day. In thinking about our Middle East policy, let me offer topic areas that I would propose for each candidate to consider.
To oversimplify, international relations scholars tend toward emphasizing world views. Realists, like Henry Kissinger and Condoleezza Rice, suggest seeing international relations through the lens of realism; that is, individual nation-states focused on “great power” relationships and the pursuit of national self-interest.
Madeleine Albright and others of the American left follow a (Woodrow) Wilsonian idealist, internationalist perspective, stressing common values and multilateral approaches.
Let me frame some questions regarding the top 10 current Middle East flashpoints. Allow me to suggest that journalists and pundits attempt to clarify for our citizens what each candidate would propose regarding U.S. policy toward:
1. Syria and human security and humanitarian assistance; and aiding “rebels” in civil wars.
2. Lebanon and Hezbollah and the U.S. role in ethnic conflicts.
3. Yemen and Somalia and failed, failing or fragile states, especially those with active al-Qaida operatives.
4. Tunisia, Libya and Egypt and the U.S. role in promoting democracy as well as economic and social development after the Arab Spring.
5. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States and the oil economy.
6. Turkey, our NATO ally, and its role in regional politics in the Middle East as well as the Caucuses and Eurasia.
7. Afghanistan and the U.S. and NATO drawdowns, state building and roles in counterinsurgency warfare.
8. Pakistan and Southwest Asia regional politics, as well as in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
9. Israel and Palestine, and supporting Israel while promoting Palestinian statehood.
10. Iran and sanctions, diplomacy, nuclear proliferation and … the potential for war?
Joseph R. Cerami is director of the Public Service Leadership Program at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
