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The Paradox of Middle East Moderates

Steven A. Cook, Council on Foreign Relations | June 19, 2008

The guiding idea that empowering moderates in the Middle East will squelch the appeal of radicals is faulty reasoning. ++ First of all, defining a “moderate” is impossible. ++ A social “moderate” in Egypt, for example, calls for less religion in society, but condones suicide bombings as a legitimate means of diplomacy. ++ Secondly, the record has shown that moderates do not remain moderate once in power. ++ The West should stop playing ideological sides and support leaders in the region on a pragmatic basis.

Thu, Jun 19th 2008, 19:45

Lior Petek, University of St. Gallen, Platinum Contributor (216)

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I like this comment! What's this?

I think this article does a great job of differentiating the whole issue of boosting the “moderates” in the Arab and Islamic world. The author of that article should have also mentioned the fact that many governments and organizations in the Middle East have recognized that Western attitude and have taken advantage of it by incorporating it into their psychological warfare themes. Thus, extremists and “moderates” alike have repeatedly argued that certain actions by Western governments and armies actually enhance the support for the extremists and diminish that for the moderates every time they considered themselves endangered by those actions.

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