What in the world are we; AMERICANS, thinking when we continue to back brutal monarchs and dictators throughout the world? WE need to completely overhaul our foreign policy and EITHER base it publicly on geopolitical strategy (meaning we’ll back whoever is in our interest no matter how bad (Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi, etc) OR we truly support the aspirations for freedom adapted to local cultures.
If we truly support “democracy” then we need to quit selling AMERICAN military hardware to these nasty rulers and put our money where our mouth is and actively support and promote local efforts worldwide for freedom of speech, of the press, true elections and independent judiciary’s. How would you feel if your Bahraini family got run over by an American tank or your kid got shot by a Bahraini soldier with an American rifle?
“But we should signal more clearly that we align ourselves with the 21st-century aspirations for freedom of Bahrainis rather than the brutality of their medieval monarch. I’m not just deeply “concerned” by what I’ve seen here. I’m outraged.” Nick Kristof
I have spent 40 years traveling the world as a cultural, business and diplomatic bridge to others who see us in a sometimes very poor light. I TOO AM OUTRAGED. Congress, past, present and future Presidents and the State Dept should all vow to implement a courageous and consistent foreign policy focused on human aspirations. Thomas Jefferson would be proud.
