Washington from a War Veteran’s View Point

By Siraj A. Alyami

Reading about and watching the inner workings of our democratic institutions and the shaping of our foreign policy on visual and print media differs greatly from actually being present in the Congressional Chambers, where policies are formulated, and the conference rooms of powerful organizations, where US official policies are strongly influenced. I had the unique opportunity to spend the summer of 2006 working at The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR), located in Washing DC, observing the formulation of our nation’s policies. As a veteran army officer who served a tour in a war zone implementing my nation’s policies, I discovered the need to better understand the process of how policies are formulated and for what purpose.

As dangerous, harsh and ambiguous as my tour overseas was, it taught me a lot about what I have taken for granted; more importantly, what I should know in order to serve my country best. From my experience overseas, I have come to realize that a noble idea can easily develop into a situation that defeats the initial purpose and its intended objectives. I became aware of the large gap between the making and implementation of US foreign policy. During my invaluable experience in Washington this summer, made possible by a small scholarship from a supporter of CDHR, I learned that many policy “experts” and decision makers, whether for or against the US’s current foreign policy in Iraq and beyond, are largely removed from the realities on the ground.

My exposure to representative samples of warfare, culture, politics, society, religion, human interactions and ethnic divide, which differ immensely from the environment I was born into, was quite sobering. My interaction with people in Iraq, a region I assumed I understood but quickly realized knew little about, prompted me to further analyze our nation’s policies and stance towards Arab and Muslim States. I am now convinced, more than ever, that democratizing the Arab World, most notably Saudi Arabia, will not only serve the best interests of the people of that region, but will consequently benefit our strategic interests and those of other democratic societies worldwide. I am constantly faced with daunting questions I am struggling with and have only begun to answer them. While the Iraqis I met expressed their gratitude for the ousting of Saddam and his brutal police, they long for the stability and familiarity under his repressive rule. Although Iraqis were freed from Saddam’s tyrannical iron fist, the lack of a stable government and daily sustenance has created a void; a lesson policy makers should not take lightly.

While working at CDHR, I had the opportunity to visit officials and attend conferences and briefings sponsored by think tanks, human rights advocates, policy “experts,” and lobbyists. All of my activities in Washington were related to our nation’s policies, attitudes and historical relationships with Arab and Muslim regimes. Many congressional hearings and downtown meetings revolved around the topics of one cause versus another, who is right and who is wrong, who is our ally and who is not and what the US should or should not do. As I listened to these discussions, which often turned into meaningless finger pointing, I found myself instinctively transported to what I saw, learned and experienced during my tour in Iraq. I thought of the suffering Iraqis and brave American soldiers, who risk their lives to implement their nation’s policies, and what their reactions to these futile arguments would be.

Iraqis I interacted with expressed their desire for huriyah (liberty), demogratiyah (democracy), elm (education) and amin (security). In short, they yearned for a better future for themselves and their children. Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, men, women and children alike expressed these sentiments. The toughest challenge I faced while serving in Iraq was how best to explain to these Iraqis that, although the current situation may seem grim, the empowering values they most strongly desired were in fact beginning to take root in their ravaged country. I refered to such accomplishments as: freedom of speech on TV and newspapers, free elections, and the ability to engage in open discussions on any topic without fear of arrest or punishment by secret police – an inherent right not enjoyed by citizens of neighboring countries. While they acknowledged these improvements and felt liberated from a vicious tyrant that ruled them for decades, they also felt more vulnerable than any other time in recent history. They felt a sense of nostalgia for the stability they once enjoyed under a fierce, yet predictable ruler.

In conclusion, I was able to expand my horizons during my stint in Washington just as much as during my tour in a war zone in a distant land. There is no escape from the dangerous realities of the Middle East. The region has the potential of causing an end to an era of relative peace, prosperity and respect for the rule of law in many countries. As much as many people would like us to leave the Middle East to its device, the Middle East problems will not leave us alone. Where do we go from here? My answer is empower the people of the region to govern themselves and feel good about their countries, religions and heritage.

How? Support a third choice. Presently, we are cowed into believing that we either have to choose between feudal and anti-democratic oligarchs or religious extremists. In fact, the difference between the two is miniscule if one dig little deeper. Millions of Arab Muslims, Christian, men and women are educated and know that the institutions that control every aspect of their lives are obsolete, oppressive and designed to serve a few ruling families.

Siraj Alyami was acting Deputy Director of CDHR during the summer of 2006. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Missippi at Oxford.