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In his new memoir, “The Promised Land,” former US President Barack Obama revealed his positions vis-à-vis various current and former leaders of the Middle East.
1) Hosni Mubarak
“It left an impression that I later grew accustomed to in my dealings with aging autocratic rulers who locked themselves in their palaces and conducted their affairs through surly servants who surrounded them, no further distinguishing between their personal interests and those of their countries, and their actions serve no purpose other than to support the complex web of cronyism and business interests that sustain them. On trial »
Obama said the late Egyptian president was practicing an approach similar to that of his predecessor, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and that he did not mind reforming the Egyptian economy due to his reliance on US and Gulf aid and rejected proposals for human rights reforms. in the country.
2) Mohammed bin Zayed
“An experienced young man, close to the Saudis and perhaps the most intelligent leader in the Gulf who did not adequately describe how to receive news in the region.
Obama claimed that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in a conversation with him, publicly criticized the White House’s support for Mubarak’s resignation in light of widespread opposition protests in Egypt in 2011 and warned that the arrival of the Muslim Brotherhood to power in this country threatens the downfall of eight other Arab leaders.
3) King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
“I said, I hope you don’t mind me asking, Your Majesty, how can you keep up with 12 wives?” Too bad, he said, shaking his head wearily, one of them is always jealous of the others. It is a more complex situation than Middle East politics »
Obama recalled that the late Saudi king received him warmly during his first visit to the Kingdom and stressed the importance of the alliance between the two countries, and they discussed not political files but also family issues, despite the lack of consensus between them on several files. , including the possibility that Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries will make a gesture towards Israel. Activate peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
4) Benjamin Netanyahu
“His vision of himself as the leading defender of the Jews in the face of the Holocaust allowed him to legitimize almost everything that would have kept him in power, and his knowledge of American politics and the media gave him the conviction that he could resist any pressure. of a democratic administration like the one I headed. “
In writing, Obama presented the Israeli prime minister as a pragmatic politician who seeks to achieve his goals at any cost. He also expressed disappointment with the influential United States and Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), accusing it of leaning toward the approach of right-wing Israeli politicians.
5) Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“The impression he left in the end is that he will adhere to democracy and the rule of law as long as they guarantee his permanence in power.”
Obama claimed that circumstances during his eight years in office required him to establish mutually beneficial relationships with the Turkish president, and acknowledged that the Ankara government always acted in accordance with the country’s constitution and NATO laws, at the same time who expressed doubts about the scope of Erdogan’s commitment to European values and the positions of some observers who see in The Turkish President is a model of moderate political Islam in the region.
Source: Agencies
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