"Hence, my conclusion: We are surely safer with Bin Laden dead, but no one will be safe — certainly not the many moderate Muslims in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan who deserve a decent future — without different ruling bargains in Islamabad and Riyadh."
The ruling systems in these countries are to blame? There are "many moderate Muslims in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan"? Again, Friedman is busy deluding himself.
Polls are rare in Saudi Arabia; however, according to the results of a 2004 poll published by CNN in 2004 (http://articles.cnn.com/2004-06-08/world/poll.binladen_1_saudi-arabia-saudi-citizens-bin?_s=PM:WORLD):
"Almost half of all Saudis said in a poll conducted last year that they have a favorable view of Osama bin Laden's sermons and rhetoric".
How's that for "moderation" from the Saudi populace?
In Pakistan, polls are more easily conducted, and a July 2010 poll of Pakistanis by the Pew Research Center (http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1683/pakistan-opinion-less-concern-extremists-america-image-poor-india-threat-support-harsh-laws) found:
• 85% favor segregation of men and women in the marketplace.
• 82% favor stoning adulterers.
• 82% favor whippings/cutting off hands for theft/robbery.
• 76% favor the death penalty for people who leave Islam.
Now that's a whole lot of "moderation" from the majority of Pakistanis. But wait, there's more. This same Pew poll of public opinion in Pakistan also found:
"America's overall image remains negative in Pakistan. Along with Turks and Egyptians, Pakistanis give the U.S. its lowest ratings among the 22 nations included in the spring 2010 Pew Global Attitudes survey -- in all three countries, only 17% have a favorable view of the U.S. Roughly six-in-ten (59%) Pakistanis describe the U.S. as an enemy, while just 11% say it is a partner. And President Barack Obama is unpopular -- only 8% of Pakistanis express confidence that he will do the right thing in world affairs, his lowest rating among the 22 nations."
It is not only the ruling systems in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that are to blame for the rise of bin Laden and his ability over the course of a decade to elude retribution. These ruling systems reflect the absence of moderation among an overwhelming majority of these country's inhabitants, which falls afoul of Friedman's fanciful theories.
Should the U.S. continue to provide Pakistan with billions of dollars of aid each year? You decide.
There were days when Pakistanis really really loved America. Over decades the opinion has changes I contribute this to the sanctions imposed on Pakistan over their nuclear ambitions. Country suffered a great deal and ruling parties hammered America and did all they could stoke anti American sentiment. Post 9/11 sanctions were lifted and US dollars started pouring in, but politicians keep giving anti American speeches and now it seems the whole country hates America. Unless US actively reaches directly to people of Pakistan and show them what US dollars are doing for them nothing will change. Now with the fourth nuclear facility on horizon apparently not much is being spent on improving the lives of people.
ReplyDeleteDaer JS Casesaera,
ReplyDeleteI just have one simple query that you might be able to resolve. Who created Bin Laden in the 70s and which country is documented to have supplied him with armaments and stinger missiles to fight against USSR?
Regards.