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What We Think and What the Arabs Believe

(Hudson Institute-New York) Herbert I. London - In the 2010 Arab Public Opinion Poll conducted for the Brookings Institution, one can get a glimpse of Arab opinion in the so-called moderate countries of Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Those thinking Israel is a huge threat are 88% (down slightly from 95% in 2008). The idea that the U.S. is the main threat to Arab countries declined from 88% under President Bush to 77% under President Obama. The Iranian threat grew from 7% in 2008 to 13% in 2009 and down to 10% in 2010. Several conclusions emerge: The adjective "moderate" hasn't any place in the Middle East. Negative attitudes to Israel persist, and it is unlikely this will change substantially as long as Israel exists. There is relatively little change in the Arab attitude about Obama and Bush. Despite the imperial aims of Iran and its threats against Sunni-dominated states, Arabs believe that the U.S. is a far greater threat to their societies. This adds up to an Arabic-speaking community where radicalism is ensconced; where, despite foreign aid, diplomatic appeasement and attempts at cultural understanding, a passionate hatred of Israel and the West is unflagging. As a consequence, policy implications are apparent: The effort to appease, flatter and buy off has not worked. The notion that Obama represents a new chapter in Middle East history is regarded as mythology. There cannot be a peace as long as Israel is regarded as a greater threat than Iran. The writer is president of the Hudson Institute and professor emeritus of New York University.
2010-08-25 07:56:20
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