August 2005

Questions for the 2005 Policymakers Conference

What is Necessary . . . to build trust and understanding between Americans and Arabs in the aftermath of major events that have shaken their relationship: the Second Intifada and the fragility and uncertain course of the "peace process;" the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq?

What is Necessary . . . to address effectively the underlying social, political, and economic problems in the region that contribute to political violence?

What is Necessary . . . for the Bush Administration to formulate and carry out a U.S. policy toward the region that while taking into account the national interests of the United States, the aspirations of the American people, and the concerns and needs of the people of the region, is not also driven by the zeal of particular American political ideologies that are viewed by many in the region as counterproductive?

What is Necessary . . . to reduce levels of political violence to such a level that private citizens and business leaders from the United States and around the world will be confident enough to travel and invest in the region?

What is Necessary . . . to advance necessary democratic reforms in the region without provoking critics who state that such external calls for reforms are an affront to national sovereignty, do not take into account religious and cultural traditions regarding governance, focus solely on Arab and Muslim states, and neglect the need for the United States to implement reforms of its own system of government, especially in the areas of accountability of public officials, transparency in the operation of government agencies and the awarding of megabuck contracts, respect for the rule of law and rights of citizens, and adhering to international laws, conventions, treaties, and norms, all with a view that in advocating democratic principles and processes, the United States must set the best possible example?

What is Necessary . . . from American and Arab points of view to effect reforms of economies and systems of government, taking into account increased accountability, responsibility, transparency, conflict resolution, legal protections, popular participation, privatization, and investment incentives?

What is Necessary . . . for American political leaders to be actively and positively engaged in the region for the purpose of resolving the intractable political, economic, and social problems that undermine the peace, liberty, development, and prosperity of the peoples of the region?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to encourage Arab leaders that remain hesitant about pursuing democratically-inspired reforms, to undertake measures to liberalize their political systems and ultimately enhance the legitimacy of their governments?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to nurture trust and stronger ties with Arabs and Muslims who are hungry for political, educational, and economic reforms but who are at the same time very wary of U.S. motives and allege that the real reasons the U.S. abolished the regime of Saddam Hussein was to benefit American corporations, advance Israeli security, appeal to the Administration's domestic political base, and strengthen undemocratic regimes that champion American interests?

What is Necessary . . . for American political leaders to pursue carefully and intelligently the U.S. policy of promoting democratic reforms in the Arab world, acknowledging that such reforms cannot be imposed, that there are a variety of models that suit different cultures and traditions, and that to preach democracy while ignoring the practices of undemocratic regimes that advance U.S. interests is likely to be counterproductive?

What is Necessary . . . for U.S. policymakers to be aware that, as they advocate political reform in the Arab world, an Islamic form of democracy, involving the dynamics of consultation and consensus, has been practiced for centuries, and that differences between Muslim and Western systems of government represent not a clash of civilizations but represent instead different sources of values and moral principles?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to persuade states in the region that, while it intends to hold governments accountable for supporting, sponsoring, and harboring terrorist organizations, military force is neither its sole nor its principal means of achieving its goals of countering terrorism?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to support the effective development of Iraq's economy, particularly the oil and gas sectors, so that national revenues will be available to benefit all of Iraq's ethnic and religious groups and for the country's reconstruction?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to support the Iraqi government in rapidly restoring safety and security throughout the country, including determining the appropriate size of Iraqi police and military forces; deciding the size, composition, and mission of multinational military forces; and continuously reviewing the requirements for and efficacy of Iraqi and multinational forces with the goal of reducing foreign troops as the Iraqi forces assume responsibility for the country's security?

What is Necessary . . . for the United States to facilitate the emergence of a positive role for post-Saddam Iraq in the Gulf and the region?

What is Necessary . . . for the new Iraqi government to convince the Iraqi citizenry of the benefits from taking part in the political process with the aim of increasing participation by the Sunni population in voting, standing for elective office, and having its best political and religious leaders participate in drafting the new constitution?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to move Palestinians and Israelis beyond this year's unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and into meaningful negotiations that will ultimately bring about the creation of a nationally sovereign, politically independent, economically viable, and territorially contiguous Palestinian state?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to encourage and support the leadership of the Palestinian Authority as it undertakes governmental reforms, including transparency in ministries and reorganization of security forces, asserts its authority throughout the Palestinian Territories, and eliminates Palestinian political violence?

What is Necessary . . . for the Administration to encourage multi-ethnic and multi-confessional states, such as Iraq and Lebanon, among others, to implement political reforms that will ensure the equitable representation of all groups?

What is Necessary . . . for U.S. policymakers to understand the unique and diverse political attitudes and policy perceptions of Shi'i elements throughout the region and the implications, if any, that those different attitudes and perceptions may have for Iraq's relations with countries such as Iran and Lebanon that have majority or sizeable Shi'i populations, and with countries without significant Shi'i populations?

What is Necessary . . . to assess the extent to which the Administration's labeling of Iran as a member of the "Axis of Evil" impedes its ability to enter into a dialog with Tehran and to determine the steps that the United States should take to engage the newly elected legislative and executive leadership of the Islamic Republic?

What is Necessary . . . to determine the degree to which the Administration's rhetoric about the existence of an "Axis of Evil" has hindered or enhanced its ability to strengthen U.S. national security and promote American national interests in the region?

What is Necessary . . . for the Bush Administration to forecast challenges to peace and stability in the Gulf and, in cooperation with GCC countries and the new Iraqi government, to determine the size and composition of U.S. forces and the military strategy to meet those challenges?

What is Necessary . . . to persuade the mainstream American media to present a more factual and enlightened picture of Islam and the Arab world and in persuading the Arab media to present a reliable and an unbiased view of American politics and society?

What is Necessary . . . for Administration officials to increase interaction and enhance understanding between American and Arab college students and faculty, specifically by easing Visa requirements for Arab students and professors who desire to study and teach or take their sabbaticals at American colleges and universities?