The recent rise of Islamic movements in Egypt, Yemen, Libya and elsewhere are generating profound new challenges for the United States. These groups, which include the Muslim Brotherhood and Nour Party in Egypt and al-Qaida-inspired jihadists in Yemen and Libya, are anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, anti-women, anti-Western and, indeed, anti-modern. At their most extreme, they seek to restore the region and convert the world to seventh-century life during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. The ascendancy of Islamic forces, whether at the ballot box or on the battlefield, raises serious questions about whether they would scrap such key building blocks of regional stability as the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty and create more safe havens in the region for anti-Western terrorists. – Lawrence J. Haas, American Foreign Policy Council
Islamic political parties are assuming roles in the new order in Arab countries. Will these parties hurt American interests in the region? Depends on what you consider to be our interests. Tunisia, the country where the political change began in late 2010, seems to be doing quite well so far. Islamists are part of the political process there, but Tunisia elected as president a secular candidate who seems to enjoy general support. If by American interests in the Middle East one means access to oil, there is probably no problem. Whoever has oil needs to sell it. Saudi Arabia is as Islamic as it gets, and it is happy to cash our checks. – John B. Quigley, Ohio State University
