The Middle East must be put in true perspective

Submitted by Cherif El-Ayouty (Denmark), May 31, 2010 at 02:41

With the unexplainable exception of Mauritania (a totally meaningless and very small country in ME politics) all the other five countries (I wonder why Saudi Arabia was not included in the poll), that are major players in ME politics, have a negative attitude towards the USA. With 31.5% approval just after Obama's, in my humble opinion, shameful speeches and feet, Uh, Uh, hands kissing during his ME visits, the approval rate is down to 23% six months after. In electoral parlance, that is a disastrous result with no improvement in sight. Maybe Obama should pay another visit to the ME dressed in Arab garbs while his female executive companions will be wearing burkas. As Westerners building our lives on solid rationality and logic we shall have to put the whole Middle East into its true perspective: a- Arab countries in the Middle East do not and will not support or approve anything from the USA (except its consumer products) b- Israel is the only true ally of the USA in the region. Since the USA's commercial interests and even strategic ones are not affected by the negative image it has among Arab nations (they will still allow the USA access to their oil fields and keep buying American products, shares and bonds even while hating the USA), the US government should not be spending any efforts or funds on trying to improve its image in the region. Unless the USA sever its relations with Israel and allow the Arabs to take it over, declare that Islam is the country's official religion, cancel all visa requirements for nationals from the ME and give them diplomatic immunity from prosecution for crimes like rape and torture, I do not see any change of attitudes from Arabs in any foreseeable future.

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