From Democracy to Development

Interview with Navtej Dhillon on Al-Jazzeera

Presenter: Now, for more on how young people in the Middle East view President Bush and his comments, I’m joined by Navtej Dhillon, who codirects the Middle East Youth Initiative at the Brookings Institution here in Washington. Now, as we’ve pointed out, your area of expertise focuses on the youth. How do you think that they received Mr. Bush’s comments with regard to Iran?

Navtej: I think it’s important to recognize that the majority of the citizens of the Arab world are under the age of 30, and I think that they have come of age really only knowing this president. And I think that their view of the U.S. has been shaped by the Iraq war. So, in a nutshell, I think that many young people in the Middle East don’t view President Bush’s visit to the region with great optimism.

Presenter: When Mr. Bush is rallying support, calling Iran a threat, how do you think those words – those are strong words – how are they resonating with young people?

Navtej: I think most people recognize that Iran’s aspirations for nuclear weapons [are] potentially a threat to the region. I think, however, the point here is that the President talks about confronting Iran and winning the war on terror. He does not talk about the other fight that most young people are involved with in the region – and that fight is really about unemployment, it’s about education, it’s about prosperity. I think he talks about democracy, but he doesn’t talk about development.

Presenter: But shouldn’t there be more support for the president’s position, given the fact that, while the speech focused on Iran, it also talked about urging Gulf states to improve the human right record and to improve democracy. Aren’t those things that are important to young people?

Navtej: I think they are important, and I think that many young people are involved in that fight themselves, through civil society, through lots of programs that we see – young people are organizing themselves to fight for social justice. I think, unfortunately, the events of the last eight years have meant that this administration lacks credibility in the region.

Presenter: So what does the United States need to do, if it hopes to improve its image with – not just young people, but the Mideast as a whole - but, really, the young people who are the future, and the perception of the United States?

Navtej: I think that we can’t afford to lose this generation to desperation and poverty, and I think that we have an enormous opportunity with the new administration in the U.S., which can cast the relationship between America and the Middle East in broader terms. And those terms are not necessarily just about security, as important as that is. But it’s also about economic development. I think, at the end of the day, that there is a majority of moderate citizens of the Arab world, which we should focus on, and align our actions with their aspirations.

Presenter: So it’s a mistake just to focus on security, is the bottom line?

Navtej: I don’t think it’s a mistake – I think security’s enormously important, but I think security also comes from economic development. I think that many young people in the Middle East crave opportunities that many young people have in the U.S. I think we should focus on that.

Presenter: Alright, we’re going to leave it there. Navtej Dhillon, we appreciate you joining us. Thank you.