Breakout
Americans view a changing Arab world through a prism of stereotypes, the country’s leaders should reassess their position with regard to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the United States should stay far removed from an explosive situation in Syria.
Those are among the conclusions of a noted author and Middle Eastern expert scheduled to speak Monday at the University of Nevada, Reno.
James Zogby is the latest speaker in the Northern Nevada International Center’s World Affairs Council series and said he’s concerned over the “absence of sensible debate” concerning many critical issues in the Middle East.
Zogby is author of “Arab Voices: What They Are Saying To Us and Why It Matters,” a publication based on polling and interviews with thousands of people in countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Zogby, the founder and president of the Arab American Institute, will discuss his book and concerns regarding major issues affecting one of the globe’s most volatile regions.
One key concern, Zogby said, is the “open wound” concerning the future of Israel and the Palestinians and what he considers an unbalanced approach by the United States in dealing with the situation.
“We either need to be more balanced or step aside. Being the coat-holder and cheerleader for one side of the conflict is isolating us in the world,” Zogby said. “This is the decisive issue how the region views us and sees us as being either a positive or negative influence.”
Sweeping change that has toppled governments in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya should bring positive developments, but people should not expect too much too soon, Zogby said.
“It will be a rough row to hoe, and no Democracy is born overnight,” Zogby said. “They’re on the road right now, and that’s what matters.”
Calls by some U.S. politicians for more aggressive action regarding Syrian strongman Bashar Assad’s violent crackdown on dissidents worries Zogby. He described the situation in Syria as far different than Libya and said any attempt at a police action there could come with frightening consequences across the Middle East.
He said other regional players — including the Arab League, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — should assume leadership roles in addressing the crisis in Syria, where 3,000 people have died in nearly eight months of protests.
“We have to be very wary of this thing spinning out of control,” Zogby said. “We have no business in Syria. No one is asking for our involvement. This is a situation where we have to do less, not more.”
It’s also critical that the United States conclude unfinished business in Iraq, including the fate of Christian refugees now living in camps in Syria and Jordan, Zogby said.
“We were responsible for this. We got fair warning the most vulnerable residents in Iraq would pay the price, and they have,” Zogby said.
Zogby strives to reverse widespread stereotypes he said many Americans have regarding Arabs, including that they all hate Americans.
“I think we sometimes undersell the value of our likability. People like us,” Zogby said. “They just think we don’t like them and that’s because of the way we treat them.”
Paying attention to the Arab world, Zogby said, is increasingly important.
“The simple fact of the matter is that Arab voices now matter,” he said. “We need to pay attention to them.”
