Nabeel Rajab on Obama ‘Arab Uprising Speech’

Activists from around the Middle East tell FP what they’d like to hear from Obama’s speech on Thursday.
MAY 18, 2011

Bahrain
Nabeel Rajab

What did you learn about the United States’ foreign policy in their response to the uprising in your country?

We thought that our regime’s strong ties with the U.S. administration would strengthen our movement towards democracy and human rights, but unfortunately it turned out to have the opposite effect. It is the first time we feel this kind of oppression and pain caused by the U.S. decision to practice double standards in their foreign policy.

I am afraid that the cautious silence of the U.S. administration has caused them to lose the hearts and minds of the people in this part of the world. It has become evident today that, to the United States, democracy and human rights should only be applied to countries that are in conflict with the United States — but not with dictatorships it calls its allies.

It is time for the United States to realize the urgency of the situation before it completely loses momentum with the people here. Look at history: The United States did the same thing with Iran more than 30 years ago and this is the result. The United States should no longer build its long-lasting strategy depending on repressive regimes, but rather with the people before they lose both. …source