Why the Middle East should take note of Carly Fiorina
Caitlin Miller/Al Arabiya/September 24/15
Last week the 11 hopefuls in the Republican presidential nomination took to the world stage to make their case to the American people and wider global community. The administration of President Barack Obama and its failed policy, or indeed lack of a policy in the Middle East means that foreign affairs is playing a central role in the upcoming U.S. election. Carly’s sentiments are refreshing in a Washington climate where the Obama administration seems divorced from reality. During Obama’s presidency, the world has seen stability and security in the Middle East deteriorate at an exponential rate. In Syria, over 250,000 people have perished, four million refugees have fled the country, and another seven million have been displaced internally. The global migration crisis is the worst the world has seen since WWII. President Barack Obama has touted Libya as a success story. He has alienated U.S. allies in the region with his infamous “red line” policy in Syria. In a part of the world deeply rooted in tradition and fidelity, a profound distrust in Obama and America was perpetuated by his inaction in Syria. This weariness was further exasperated by Obama’s deal with Iran signed in July of this year.
Winning back trust
Republican presidential hopefuls have their work cut out to win back the trust of the American people and of U.S. allies. The American people no longer want to be viewed as weak on the international stage, especially in the Middle East. During last week’s debate, the candidates felt the pressure to emerge as strong leaders, especially on foreign policy. Carly Fiorina, the only female candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, asserted that this election is about leadership, “challenging the status quo, solving problems, producing results.” Carly espoused that if she is elected as the next President of the United States, “every ally and every adversary will know America is back in the leadership business.” This message was well received by the American people. On Monday, CNN announced that Carly shot to number two in the polls following her strong performance in the debate.
Clear assurances
However, U.S. allies in the region need more than good intentions from the future president. They need clear assurances that the next president is true to their word with a decisive plan to cultivate global security and stability. Perhaps sensing the need to be resolute, Carly laid out her plan for the Iran deal in clear terms. She stated that on day one in the Oval Office she would call the Supreme Leader and tell him “that unless and until he opens every military and every nuclear facility to real anytime, anywhere inspections by our people, not his, we, the United States of America, will make it as difficult as possible and move money around the global financial system.”Carly’s sentiments are refreshing in a Washington climate where the Obama administration seems divorced from reality. Shortly after signing the nuclear deal with Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei tweeted a picture of President Obama with a gun to his head and the accompanying words: “We welcome no war, nor do we initiate any war, but if any war happens, the one who will emerge loser will be the aggressive and criminal U.S.” In spite of such rhetoric, the Obama administration – either ignorantly at best, or calculating at worst – continues to embrace Iran.
Hillary Clinton
Carly went on to challenge Hillary Clinton, whom she could potentially be up against in the presidential primary. Clinton has been careful not to highlight her record as Secretary of State due to her overall ineffectiveness and ineptitude. Carly noted Clinton’s alleged “lying about Benghazi, of lying about her e-mails, about lying about her servers.” One Republican presidential hopeful, Senator Ted Cruz, even went so far as to claim, “If you vote for Hillary, you are voting for the Ayatollah Khamenei to possess a nuclear weapon.”Carly was not the only candidate with a strong debate performance last week. Governor Jeb Bush had a good night, too. During the debate, Trump challenged Bush on his brother’s track record. Bush retaliated, “There’s one thing I know for sure. He kept us safe.” Bush went on to say that his brother “sent a clear signal that the United States would be strong and fight Islamic terrorism.”
Even those who disagree with President George W. Bush’s policy in the Middle East can concur that he was resolute and transparent with U.S. allies in the region. As Bush famously said, “Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” This steadfast and stoic leadership is a far cry from Obama’s wavering “red line.” Governor Bush reminded the debate audience what happens when America leads from behind and when America fails to provide military and political support to our allies in the region: voids are created. And the void in Iraq created a vacuum for the emergence of ISIS. In this election anything is possible, but one thing is certain. In order to make the world a safer and more stable place, America needs a strident leader. The next U.S. president must be a champion for justice, not afraid to stand up to brutal adversaries and to support long-term allies. As we enter the next phase of the election, America and the world will be watching to see which candidate has the fortitude to steer America forward. And after her most recent performance, everyone should take note of Carly.
How can Egypt’s Prime Minister succeed?
Abdel Latif el-Menawy/Al Arabiya/September 24/15
“Mahlab managed to gain people’s admiration thanks to his diligence and presence in the street among the people. However, continuing to have this trust and admiration is linked to the size of practical achievements and to the government’s capability to communicate in a way that bridges the gap between officials and citizens. And the question remains, how can Ibrahim Mahlab succeed?” Around a year ago, I wrote the aforementioned statement in an article called “How can Ibrahim Mahlab succeed?” However Mahlab’s journey as Prime Minister of Egypt has now ended. Despite the reasons and motives, we must salute this man who had accepted the challenge of becoming premier, assumed responsibility at a difficult time, and worked hard.The path to success is through adopting a scientific approach in developing and executing plans. Mahlab made many right decisions and he’s also made mistakes; however thanking him and voicing appreciation to him is a duty. We must also evaluate the phase of his reign; therefore this must be the basis of respecting the man’s efforts and honesty. I hope such an approach becomes part of our lifestyle.
Sherif Ismail
Egypt’s new Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, who served as a minister in Mahlab’s government, was one of the most honest and serious men on the level of performing his role during the past phase. I’ve met him on several occasions and I sensed his perseverance to resolve the country’s energy problem. I felt that he was willing to do anything as long as it helps solve problems. After following up on his work in the previous phase, I always said that he dealt with the energy crisis as if he’s addressing a problem in his own household; thus, doing everything he can to resolve it. Therefore, I ask those who have already launched a campaign criticizing him to be patient. But are the person’s positive traits enough to succeed? The certain answer is no, they are not. I hereby repeat that the path to success is through adopting a scientific approach in developing and executing plans, developing a system and communicating in a way that bridges the gap between officials and citizens.
Scientific approach
So to what extent does the government follow a scientific approach that’s based on solid studies in order to specify priorities? To what extent do we benefit from the experiences of those who preceded us or who passed through similar crises in their countries and succeeded at overcoming them? To what extent does the government, or rather its state institutions and apparatuses, adopt a scientific approach to specify the media plans to efficiently communicate with the people? What I can say now is that this is not completely happening – and even if it did happen, it was amidst the absence of coordination among the state’s different parties. Therefore, there was no consistency as no scientific methods were adopted to evaluate the situation and follow up on it. At least, this is what I and others think. The government had historical opportunities to create a positive atmosphere by marketing the major and huge projects which were launched. However this was not properly dealt with. Although there were many important measures and laws, there wasn’t a proper approach to market them and explain them in order to gain people’s support. Therefore, a new and different approach is needed to address all these details.
Creating harmony among the different ministries and adopting the proper scientific approach in specifying priorities which the people approved is truly the right path to achieve success. Many opportunities have been lost on the level of communicating with people, and if this is not realized and if no well-studied scientific measures are taken, more opportunities will be lost and success – which is now possible – will become difficult to achieve.
