White House Recalibrates Role in Encouraging Democratization in the Middle East

Strategic Insights -

The Obama administration's handling of the protests in Egypt has undergone significant changes over the past month, with the White House recalibrating its role in encouraging democratization in the Middle East. Initially, administration officials made statements that sometimes contradicted each other, but as the protests unfolded, President Obama made a more unequivocal statement in support of genuine democracy. The White House is now applying the lessons it learned in Egypt to other countries, including Bahrain, Yemen, and Iran, where protests are unfolding.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Obama administration's initial response to the protests in Egypt was characterized by mixed messages, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stating that the Egyptian government was stable, while Vice President Joe Biden suggested that President Hosni Mubarak was not a dictator.
  • President Obama did not immediately reject President Mubarak's plan to remain in office until September, but ultimately supported the Egyptian people's demand for genuine democracy.
  • The White House has shifted its stance, with President Obama making his most unequivocal statement in support of democracy, stating that "genuine democracy will carry the day."
  • The administration is applying the lessons learned in Egypt to other countries, including Bahrain, Yemen, and Iran, where protests are unfolding.
  • Michele Dunne, a Mideast specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, notes that the White House is now speaking up on protests in every single country, representing a significant turnaround in its policy.
  • The administration is engaging with world leaders, with President Obama telling several leaders that "democracy will bring more, not less, stability to the region."
  • Steve Clemons of the New America Foundation notes that while the White House is publicly siding with the people in the streets, there is behind-the-scenes outreach to the rulers of those countries, highlighting the need to balance the pursuit of democracy with American national interests.

Statistics:

  • The protests in Egypt began in mid-January, with the Egyptian government initially responding with violence.
  • By mid-February, the White House had shifted its stance, with President Obama making his most unequivocal statement in support of democracy.
  • Protests are currently unfolding in Bahrain, Yemen, and Iran, with the White House applying the lessons learned in Egypt to these countries.
  • The U.S. depends on the government in Yemen to support American counterterrorism operations, and in Bahrain, the U.S. runs a major naval facility with the king's blessing.
  • If the rulers of these countries follow the path of Egypt's president, their views will no longer matter, and the U.S. must balance the pursuit of democracy with its own national interests.

Sources:

  • "NPR News" - "Obama's Egypt Policy: A Shift in the White House"
  • "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace" - Michele Dunne, Mideast Specialist
  • "New America Foundation" - Steve Clemons, American Strategy Program Founder
  • "White House" - President Obama, Statement on Egypt
  • "Department of State" - Secretary Hillary Clinton, Statement on Egypt
  • "PBS" - Vice President Joe Biden, Interview on Egypt