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Panel Detail:

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
9:20 AM - 10:35 AM

Understanding Politics and Culture in a Diverse Arab World

Moderator:

Steven Green, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore; Managing Director, Greenstreet Partners

Panelists Ali Aujali, left, and Nabil Fahmy discuss the culturally, politically and economically diverse nations in the Arab world.

That world stretches from Morocco to Syria, and from Iraq south to the Gulf States. While the nations share an important cultural component (Arabic language), each also has its own national experience and identity. For example, he said, Morocco has a relationship with West Africa and Europe, yet things are very different at the eastern edge of the Middle East.

Although Arab world is ancient culturally, in character it is actually quite young, with more than half its population under 25. Young people are looking to the future, said the ambassador, and facing the challenge of being part of a global community. Arab countries must engage the international community and embrace economic openness, he added, if they are to achieve the growth necessary to fill the rapidly rising need for nearly 100 million new jobs by 2020.

Ambassador Ali Aujali, Chief of the Libyan Liaison Office, agreed, stressing the importance of business relationships with the West. Libya and the West have had no relations for the past 50 years, and only recently did Libya take the first step toward renewing contact with the United States. Chief among the connections being rebuilt are business and education. "We must rebuild this bridge," said Aujali of education, pointing out that allowing Libyans to study in America would enhance cultural understanding in both regions. He said that Libya wants good relations with the United States but wants those relations to be based on education, business and, most important, respect.

Moderator Steven Green, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore and Managing Director of Greenstreet Partners, asked the ambassadors to touch upon the issues of terrorism and the Israel/Palestine dilemma. Fahmy likened Americans' understanding of fundamentalist terrorism to "trying to watch TV on a distorted screen," saying the U.S. public generally doesn't see the whole picture and tends to forget that before terrorists attacked America, they were attacking Arab targets.

"Invasion and military action will never help us to save the world and prevent terrorism," said Aujali. He expressed a desire for diplomacy and understanding, and said that he thought one of the most important sources of conflict in the Middle East was the Israel/Palestine dilemma. He encouraged the United States to confront the problem of injustice in the region.

Fahmy added that the average Arab is neither anti-American nor a terrorist, but is frustrated with U.S. policy in the region. He also noted that the only answer to the question of Israel and Palestine was a two-state solution with two capitals. Fahmy expressed hope that this is possible in the near term because "both sides need it."

Both Fahmy and Aujali encouraged the United States to move forward and continue to draft peace proposals that will give Israel and Palestine fewer excuses for inaction. Additionally, the U.S. must engage parties as a friend, not as a challenger. If this situation can be cleared up, there will be huge dividends for Arab relations with the West. "I hope," said Aujali, "we will see peace in my lifetime in the Middle East."

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