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September 19, 2012

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US lifts stone, but hits its feet

THERE are no superior or inferior civilizations, but some people in America - for that matter, in the West - always look down upon Islamic civilization with a sense of superiority.

This sense of superiority and prejudice has spilled over into American policies toward the Middle East. By taking advantage of the so-called "Arab Spring," Washington has erased old power regimes in parts of the Middle East and, in their place, has installed Western systems.

But the imposed systems seem to be at odds with local conditions and have failed to improve local life. On the contrary, anger and hatred that arise from the revolutions linger on. A self-righteous America has lifted a stone only to hit its own feet.

The most radical protests against America have occured in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen - countries that are styled as the examples of American reform of the Middle East.

The ongoing protests tell America at least two lessons:

In the short run, it's hard to gauge the effects of American-assisted power reshuffle in Syria. In the long run, it's difficult to prevent similar protests if America keeps a bumptious attitude everywhere.



 

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