Clinton: U.S. Will Work with Arab Spring’s Islamist Parties
- Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:19pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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WASHINGTON (The Blaze/AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declared Monday that the Obama administration would work with ascendant Islamist parties of the Muslim world, answering one of the central U.S. policy questions resulting from the Arab Spring.
Delivering an address at the National Democratic Institute, Clinton offered a forthright embrace of the democratic changes enveloping North Africa and the Middle East at a time when the euphoria of the successful revolutions from Egypt to Libya is giving way to the hard and unprecedented work of creating stable democracies.
After decades of partnering dictators throughout the region, her message was that the U.S. would approach the new political landscape with an open mind and the understanding that long-term support for democracy trumps any short-term advantages through alliances with authoritarian regimes.
While she reached out to the religious-rooted parties expected to gain power in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere,
she said nothing about changing U.S. policies toward Hezbollah and Hamas, which have performed well in Lebanese and Palestinian elections but are considered foreign terrorist organizations by the United States.
“For years, dictators told their people they had to accept the autocrats they knew to avoid the extremists they feared,” Clinton told an audience that included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. “Too often, we accepted that narrative ourselves.”
After almost a year of protests and crackdowns, armed rebellion and civil war, the Arab world’s upheaval has left a jumbled mosaic of liberals and Islamists, military rulers and loose coalitions of reformers. No country appears unalterably on a path toward democratic governance, and for the people of the region and the United States the stakes of long-term instability are high.
U.S. interests, including the security of oil supplies, military relations and Israel’s defense, have forced the Obama administration to engage in flexible diplomacy, with different messages for different countries.
The one-size-does-not-fit-all approach has meant U.S. support for an imperfect military stewardship over Egypt ahead of elections for a new parliament and president, and largely overlooking ally Bahrain’s rough response to protests earlier this year. Washington helped a military effort that ultimately deposed Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi. It also demanded that leaders in Syria and Yemen leave power, without any real means to make them do so.
“There will be times when not all of our interests align,” Clinton said. “That is just reality.”
Still, she moved to counter an increasingly common criticism from Republicans, including among presidential hopefuls, that the Obama administration’s boisterous support for the Arab Spring has foolishly opened the door to Islamist takeovers of once secular governments. Clinton took a hardline, deriding the suggestion that faithful Muslims cannot thrive in a democracy as “insulting, dangerous and wrong.” She said the United States would work with any individuals and parties willing to uphold fundamental values.
Religious and secular parties alike “must reject violence. They must abide by the rule of law and respect the freedoms of speech, religion, association and assembly. They must respect the rights of women and minorities,” Clinton said. “They must let go of power if defeated at the polls.”
“In other words,” Clinton added, “what parties call themselves is less important to us than what they actually do.”
To underline her point, she welcomed the Islamist party Ennahda’s strong showing in “an open, competitive election” in Tunisia last month, and said America will work with the party’s leaders as they join secular groups in writing a new constitution and governing.
Tunisia, however, holds little strategic value for the U.S. The story is different with Egypt, a bulwark of American influence in the Middle East under Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade rule.
U.S. officials have watched warily in recent months amid souring Egyptian-Israeli relations, violence against minority Copts and renewed popular frustration with a military leadership determined to maintain its grip on the future of the country, if not its governance. Since Mubarak’s February ouster, Clinton has gone out of her way to describe Egypt’s ruling military council as “an institution of stability and continuity,” even as the U.S. has been frustrated by the council’s slow pace of democratic reforms and continuation of the emergency laws that were a mainstay of abuse during the Mubarak era.
She took a tougher approach Monday, saying real power needed to be transferred in Egypt. “If, over time, the most powerful political force in Egypt remains a roomful of unelected officials, they will have planted the seeds for future unrest,” Clinton said. “Egyptians will have missed a historic opportunity.”
The strategy pivots on convincing Egypt to stick to scheduled elections later this year, regardless of whether votes over the next 18 months produce a new government that is less boisterously pro-American than Mubarak’s regime was. Washington is hoping that steadfast support for democracy will win the U.S. new, long-term friends who’ll support counterterrorism and diplomatic efforts, like Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, that may be deemed vital for American national security but not necessarily supported by the Egyptian people.
At the same time the U.S. has cautiously reached out to the Muslim Brotherhood, another Islamist opposition group likely to wield significant power in the future.
The demands on Egypt represent in some ways the set of American hopes and fears with the movements for greater democracy in the Arab world. Democracy can bring stability to an area of the world long riddled with corruption, economic disparity and underachievement. But the power vacuum of transition could let some countries slide back into military domination or create a powerful new wave of intolerant populism.
Clinton said transitions can be “chaotic, unstable, even violent,” and they are rarely straightforward: “Just ask the Iranians who overthrew a dictator thirty-two years ago only to have their revolution hijacked by the extremists who have oppressed them ever since.”
The speech was Clinton’s first comprehensive report card on the Arab Spring since April, when Libya‘s revolution against Gadhafi’s four decades of dictatorship was far from assured and President Bashar Assad’s crackdown in Syria was widening. If Libya’s revolutionaries have since provided their country with a new beginning, the situation in Syria has only gotten bloodier.
Clinton said the “revolutions are not ours – they are not by us, for us, or against us.” The U.S. does have a role,
she said, and it will work with the citizens of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya to help safeguard democracy.
Of the other Arab countries hanging in the balance, Syria presents the United States with the greatest opportunity for a new strategic foothold. The 40-year Assad dynasty has been a constant thorn for Washington, closely partnering Iran and supporting the militant anti-Israeli group Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
A change of government offers obvious upsides for the U.S., which is calling for Assad to step down. But Syria’s government has fiercely resisted calls from its people for reform, and protesters lack the capacity to stand up to Syrian forces. More than 3,000 people have died since March. Sanctions efforts at the United Nations have failed, and Washington has very little leverage with Damascus after decades of isolating the Syrian economy.
“Assad may be able to delay change, but he cannot deny his people’s legitimate demands indefinitely,” Clinton said. “Those leaders trying to hold back the future at the point of a gun should know their days are numbered.”
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Comments (68)
GreatGu
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 6:43amClinton and the DomoMarxists working with Dangerous Radicals? Surprise….NOT!
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:31amIt doesn’t get more stupid does it?….Liberals keep doing the same things expecting different results. Perhaps Hillary should take a “reset” button to these Islamists (spelled correctly this time and of course while wearing a headscarf)?
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 6:08amThe US State Department is owned and operated by The House of Saud. Secretary Clinton is a treason whore.
Shut dow the Saudi-run Department of State.
Arrest the treasonous whore, Hillary Clinton, whore for Islam.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 6:12amAgree
Report Post »HowardSternIsABigot
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 8:21amaye aye
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 5:52amSure, they will. The dummycraps and the rinos help INSTALL THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 4:39amCan you… Burn Witches… under Sharia Law?
Report Post »Steve
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 3:38amNothing like the Progressive left reaching out to those who contributed with Hitlers final solution.
Truly telling. Isn’t it rose-ellen?
Report Post »klg1956
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 2:23amWhy wouldn’t liberal, progressives work with a theocracy? Liberals and progressives are anti-capitalism just like a Muslim theocracy, Sharia Law banking system is anti-capitalism…..they do not collect interest for a loan, but they get a piece of your business……Totalitarianism is what the liberals and progressives are working for behind the scenes here in America. Elena Kagan, Obama, Soros, Clintons, Gore, they all want totalitarianism and they will cop to Sharia law being shoved down our throats to get totalitarianism, which is a theocracy. They have you from the minute you wake until your head hits the pillow. Sharia Law if we tire, if we falter, if we fail, aka, progressive socialism until totalitarianism. It’s easy to understand if you just listen to what progressives are pointing the finger at, or what they are saying, what they are getting you to pay attention to, that’s exactly what they are doing but turning your attention on and blaming somebody else.
Report Post »Liberty1791
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 1:27amClinton is an idiot and the worst SecState ever. These commies need to be run out of our government and be thrown in jail for acts of treason against America. The future life of liberty and justice is hanging by a thread because of these dumb-f@#ks. God bless the USA.
Report Post »DallyWama
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 1:17amYes! Because according to theses leftists, democracy would never work in Iraq. We can’t be the police of the world. They are basically using the Bush doctrine.
Report Post »Jukes
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:35amOne more rip in the fiber of this country! Each day it becomes more and more important to stand up, pay attention, and stand against the evil that is trng to take away this country….well let them try, I know where I stand and there is no doubt that I will stand for truth, freedom and personal liberties until I breath my last breath on this earth! Let’s fire these evil men and woman.
Report Post »http://www.helpfireobama.com Please give $20.12
TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 5:10amI stand with you. Yes, I am contributing.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:19amin other words, the 3,000 people murdered by muslims on 9/11 and the US Military losses from being attacked by muslims and in our war against terror since Slick Willie was in office have all been in vain.. obama and clinton are deliberately turning America over to islam.
Report Post »we’ve got news for those communists: like Hell they are.
chicago76
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:05amOne look at Hillary and one word comes to mind. Moron. Any other word just does not do her justice.
Report Post »hud
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 7:28pmThe scary Hillery doll has arrived, Limbaugh warned of this years ago.
Report Post »scoter
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:36pmhttp://www.helpfireobama.com Please give $20.12
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:35pmIf this was a Christian theocracy movement that was taking place, the left wouldn‘t be saying that they’d work with them.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:33pmBeck hasn‘t told me anything I didn’t already know, Beck has filled me in on many names and details about what I already knew. Anyone that is not a useful idiot would have had no difficulty seeing what has been coming and is to come, that is if anyone that hasn’t had their head up their butt!
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:08pmA term Vietnam Vets heard often in Nam when someone or something was alike,
Report Post »Obama and Clinton…….same-same # 10,thou and dinky dou…they VC!
joe conservative
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:32pmAside from Hillary looking scarier by the day, these liberals are always so quick to embrace the radical Islamists. This in my opinion will not end well for anyone. The Muslim Brotherhood is all over this uprising. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcRU63qCJkw
Report Post »Rosanne Martin
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:06pmMan work with the devils. Progressive and radical islamist, what a combo. May God help America and Israel
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:09pmWhat? How much is God going to help. Look at that the Angels can’t even get a prophecy right. I say a 4.0 in Oklahoma, and they strike Okinawa with a 7.0.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:11pmWhy do I bother trying to prove anything?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:21pmI Know, maybe people can pray a little more and it might clean out the Angels ears. You know, kind of like in Hollywood movies when they believe in Santa and it makes him not fade away.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:31pmThat‘s why I don’t try to Prophecy because you people don’t truly believe in God and it just screws everything up.
Report Post »stage9
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:49pmliberalism = criminalism
liberalism poses a clear and present danger to the security of the United States of America.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:55pmAnother mindless, bumper-sticker Beck-Disciple heard from. And it didn’t even rhyme. What a loser.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:55pmLike the Massachusettes school district closing School tomorrow for the Islamic Holiday? new flash: WE ARENT ISLAMISTS!!!! CUT THE SHIDT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:31pmI guess separation of church and state is out the window now that the Democrats have a religion that fits their demonic ideals.
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 5:25am@Brokerzero1zero1 I am just another mindless bumper sticker Beck disciple loser. Seems you’re sure bent out a lot with “accusations”–kind of like the woman attacking Mr. Cain. And here I am admitting to it. I should get her lawyer David Axelrod not the one in the WH but the older one to defend me against your accusations. Or maybe it is you need defending? Gosh gee whiz I am just so confused about the Clintons after all that research I did. Dang dang dang it.
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:46pmThere the picture of a witch who thinks she’s a lot smarter than she really is. Lord she’s a hideous looking creature.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:52pmWritten like the utterly mindless Beck-Disciple that you are. I’m sure that after noon ET tomorrow, you’ll have a much better sounding set of criticisms of Secretary Clinton. None of them your own.
Report Post »artistskeptic
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:59pmI’m not sure which will be the greatest relief, getting rid of Odumba and his communist czars or getting rid of Hillary the imbicle.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on November 9, 2011 at 5:04amHilrod is only carrying out Obumblers instruction. Help the Muslim Brotherhood take control of as many mid east countries as possible. Help them establish Sharia Law, ev entually the Caliphate. Then instead of dealing with our State Dept they will go to work on their promise to eliminate the “Great Satan”. Hilrod and Obumbler want to help in the elimination of Israel, and are naive enough to think they can actually deal with these people, or are activily helping them take over and hoping for the elimination of Israel.
OMG
Report Post »scout n ambush
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:45pmOld Killary doing the kalif b hussien bidding and giving the PA & hamas $200 million no doubt they want rid of the nation of israel after all nicholas sarkozy said the idea of a jewish state was ridiculous when bibi said that israel should be recognized as a jewish state.
Report Post »spfoam1
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:44pmThis administration thinks it can avoid the fleas as they sleep with the dogs. Obama and Hillary will be responsible for the death of many people. When the US is attacked again, and thousands die again, remember who thought it was a good idea to coddle and support islamic murderers.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:28pmNot to mention the slaughter of the people of Israel if they get their way. Something is up with Hillary, I am telling you she is in the running for 2012. Don’t think that she would be easy to beat. If the repubs don’t get their ……. together, we could be in big trouble.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 5:54amHilrod and Obumbler are naive. If they think the Muslim Brotherhood isn’t going to bring on Sharia Law and a Caliphate. Once they have all their countries combined they will tell the US to go to He** and then openly declare war on us.
OMG
Report Post »Sharon DuVall
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:50pm@Pamela, I agree with you. I have seen that since 2008 at their primaries. It was a set up for along time. As Secretary of State, she has been setting herself up in the foreign relations and Bill has been doing alot in the background. Obama (Muslim) and Clintons (dictators) have had the same agenda: Bring capitalism down. They decide to work together, after it is done then you will see them turn from each other because of POWER. There is only ONE that can rule. You can’t have two masters. Even God said you can’t serve two masters.
Report Post »ritamweep
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:43pmYa, they wanna work with you, too.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:45pmI wish they would keep her … she sure doesn’t “work” for the good of America.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:41pmThe beauty of manipulating the stupid masses with bumper-sticker-slogans is that they can mean whatever you say they mean and can change from day to day. Remember when the “Arab Spring” was a wonderful pro-democracy movement, as cited by Barack Obama? Then, when the “Arab Spring” was partially to blame for high US unemployment, as cited by Barack Obama? Now, obviously, the “Arab Spring” is all good again, as cited by Hillary Clinton. As Glenn Beck knows, it’s easy money when you successfully target the stupid.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:44pmgood thing she doesn’t have to drive…………..and she will look better covered up
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:15pm@Broker
And here you are.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 3:35am82dAirborne
lol. Got that right.
Desperately looking for relevance in it’s failed and miserable world.
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on November 8, 2011 at 5:35am@Oldguy One has to laugh to keep sanity alive and that is funny. Know anyplace where one can buy their own straight jacket? Three years of this and flying over the cuckoo’s nest will get here eventually.
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:40pmHillary=NWO puppet
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:35pmAnother reason I would NEVER VOTE for her as president in my life time!!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:34pmThey have sewn the winds of terror, and the people of the US and Israel will reap the harvest ten fold back due to Mr Obamas and his admin’s actions. The blood on his hands grows daily.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:41pmThe list of liars and traitors grows & grows…………………..
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on November 7, 2011 at 11:13pm@ 82ndAIRBORN YOU ARE SO RIGHT we just need to keep a track of who’s on the list, so maybe they can be prosecuted, it’s wishful thinking i guess.
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