After the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States, the world focused on the deficiency of democracy in the Middle East. I was also forced to do the same since the region was suffering from the untold pains of autocratic leadership that was being displayed by the reigning regimes. I know that there is a higher calling for everyone across the globe to foster peace in their sphere of influence. The Middle East is a troubled region due to the extremism and terrorism that has been prevalent in the area. My view is that the world leaders should work cohesively so as to ensure that the region does not suffer continuously due to a problem that can be solved diplomatically.
I have tried to understand the problem behind the dictatorship that prevails in Middle East, more so Iran and Iraq, and I can conclude that the oil deposits in these oil-rich nations is the main reason why they do not want anything to do with a democratically elected government. Moreover, the reigning regimes do not want to associate with the attempts of the world leaders to foster peace and promote democracy. I have to realize that the leaders know the way of peace but I think that they deliberately chose to ignore it so that they may amass more wealth and later leave the common man suffering. It is not a wonder to see that recent revolutions that took place in Egypt and Libya.
I know that some scholars have argued that the revolutions were being fuelled by the international community. Moreover, I have heard other schools of thought that the revolutions were being led by the nations that had interests in the oil deposits. While this may be true to some extent going by the revelations of the locals, I think the revolutions are an eye opener that the citizens in those nations are tired of the autocracy in the regimes. I can sense that they badly want a change and a change that has not been forthcoming through diplomacy can only be sought through demonstrations.
According to my own thoughts, the world gave little attention, if any, to the Middle East until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The stagnation of the Middle East region dates back to several decades and the manifestation of the terrorism that has been born in the region was best seen when I saw the US attack. This attack was so intense that for the first time I thought that the world needs to rethink the strategy of fighting terrorism. Moreover, the attack was followed by various operations of terrorists in areas such as Riyadh, Madrid, Casablanca, and Istanbul. I was sure that the stability of the region could not be postponed any longer. It was time to act and act decisively so that the world may be assured of peace and international stability. Absence of urgent action will only leave the citizens of those areas and indeed the world at large in very precarious situations. I think this will be a recipe for chaos and a preparation for a ground fertile enough to breed even more extremism. It is time the world acted and acted without fear of reprisal since peace is very paramount for any cohesive coexistence.
I can authoritatively state out of impeccable research that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has a meagre 6 percent of Free states. This is a drop in the ocean if I compare it to the high populations that are found in this area. The MENA region has not impressed me for the past 30 years since there has been little progress towards fostering democracy and improving the status quo of autocracy. Women and children have suffered immensely as a result of the selfishness of a few individuals who want to hold on to power at all costs. Such leaders do not care about the sufferings of the common man. All they care about is their comfort and status.
I have observed that there has been an Arab awakening that has committed to pressing for reforms. I read an Arab Human Development Report that was written before the US attack. The report was an eye-opener since it outlines the shortfalls of the region as well as the self-probe of the challenges that the MENA region faces.