Debate: For the Last Four Years, America Got The Middle East Right
Four academics debate the political relationship America has had with the Middle East in the past four years.
Resolution: For the last four years, America got the Middle East right.
Arguing “YES” is Mary Beth Long, former assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, and the first woman appointed to the chair of NATO’s high-level group. This is the highest group responsible for NATO’s nuclear policy.
Joining her is Danny Danon, former Israeli Deputy defense minister, former ambassador to the UN, Israel’s 17th Permanent Representative, and Chairman of World Likud, an organization developed to combat anti-Semitism.
Arguing “NO” is Dr. Justine Rosenthal, former editor-in-chief of the National Interest, former executive editor of Newsweek, former director on the council of global terrorism, and former director on the council of foreign relations.
Joining her is Michael Ware, former Time Magazine & Baghdad Bureau Chief, former CNN correspondent, and lived and worked in Iraq as a western journalist during the Iraqi War.
Long started by emphasizing that four years ago, the Middle East was worse than it is now. There were a lot of internal combatants such as Russia, China, and Turkey. These countries made the Middle East more inflamed.
Iran prepared to use its proxies within Syria, Iraq, and other countries. They also used foreign countries to launch missiles into Saudi Arabian and Israel.
“The bottom line was, while that mess existed four years ago, we’re in a much different place,” she said. Troops have been drawn down, and conflicts have lessened.
Rosenthal started by saying that Trump’s policies in the Middle East had no coherent objective. The peace between the US and Israel is very flawed.
The Abram Accords were enacted without a two-state solution and without any Israeli policies. This will only set back long term Israeli security in the region.
“This will further radicalize Palestinians, embolden the Israeli far fight, and turn Israel into a greater Israel,” she said. Israel will take more land where Palestinian people live in.
Trump’s policies have led Iran to mine more uranium at a faster rate by twenty percent. Once Iran obtains nukes, other countries in the region will follow them and develop their own nuclear programs.
Danon brought up the point that the US’s allies are more strengthened than they have been in the past. The Trump Administration has worked with allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. They have stronger bonds and more respect for the US.
There have been attempts to change the Palestinians throughout history, but none have worked. However, building bridges with other countries will force the Palestinians to the negotiating tables.
In terms of Iran, they have continually sponsored terrorism and breached the nuclear agreement that they have signed.
“Iranians breached all aspects of their agreement in reaching uranium, ballistic missile tests, sponsoring terrorism all over the Middle East,” he said.
Ware said that the fault lines have been more divided than in the past. More people groups are divided against each other.
“Pitting Arabs further against Persians, Ottomans against Kurds, Sunnis against Shia,” he said.
Trump has brought tension in Iran to an all-time high. These include military decisions such as B-52s flying over the coast and nuclear submarine in the Golf.
The economic and military decisions have only led to Iranians being punished. They have developed a stronger sense of nationalism.
The audience placed their votes to decide who they believed have won. Before the debate, 31% agreed with the resolution, 46% disagreed with it, and 23% were undecided. After the debate, 37% agreed with it, 59% disagreed with it, and 4% were undecided.
