Can we win the hearts and minds of the people within the Middle East without a military involvement?

Question

military personnel responses are welcome.....

I support our troops....

Answer 1

Yes- convert to Islam

Answer 2

I believe the solution to this equation revolves on balance; however there are historic, religious and financial differences that also intervene with proper relations between the United States and Middle Eastern countries.

A complete withdrawal of our military troops isn't the solution, but perhaps a more balanced equation of military and diplomatic agreements would work best. Reducing military presence and creating military post protected by U.N. regulations as peace troops would allow the U.S. to have military presence in the Middle East and would allow them to relieve the current feeling of "Yankee invasion" they constantly complaint about. Diplomatic enforcement of "no intervention by U.S. in internal policies" would probably help create more passive feelings towards the U.S.

But there will always be a small group that will hold hatred in their heart towards the U.S., those extremist who manipulate and fill the minds and hearts of others with hateful messages. This will always exist whether there is military presence or not.

Answer 3

By realizing the wants and needs of people within the region, we can open trade agreements and economic programs that will benefit the Middle East and the U.S.

Also, our educational systems should be afforded foreign citizens and their children an opportunity to become educated through exchange programs. It would benefit everyone in the long run to understand the other nation's goals and needs through an well defined educational exchange program.

The operative word in the Middle East is the operative word everywhere....Tolerance. We must be willing to tolerate each others differences and be totally responsible and respectful of all borders. It also must be noted that some countries are run by thugs and hooligans and there would be a need to reach into the population and deal directly with the citizenry of each nation.

All in all, we can win the hearts and minds of people throughout the Globe, if we could begin by tolerating and respecting each others differences.

Answer 4

It cannot be done without military involvement.
As Osama bin Laden said, in reference to his attacks on 9/11, people will buy the strong horse rather than the weak horse; the destruction of the WTC and the murder of 3000 civilians was supposed to make Islam the strong horse.
If this is how Muslim extremists think, their hearts will not be won except by military force.
Of course, the normal average Muslim might see things differently.

Answer 5

It seems hardly possible. Only time will tell. Whether we win their hearts and minds is not as important as world peace - if we have to destroy terrorism and make enemies, so be it. I'm sure Truman was unpopular in Japan right after the bombs, but ten years hence the U.S. was looked up to by Japan; so sometimes a show of strength is all that some cultures seem to understand. Perhaps at some point the Middle East will stop using violence to achieve their aims and stop viewing violence as a legitimate bargaining chip in diplomacy; sadly we have stooped to their level.

Answer 6

Yes, pull out and leave the area alone, so as well as pull out of Iraq, stop support of Israel both by subsidising their government by $10billion a year and an endless supply of weapons, and vetoing at the UN every criticism of Israel.

Muslims do not hate you, Arabs do, whether they are Christian or Muslim . Arabs do not hate you because they are Muslim but because you have been interfering in their countries for 70 years.

They now get TV news the same as you every night only what they see night after night after night is Palestinian Children being killed by Israelis using American arms, as well as deaths and bombings in Iraq which is blamed on Americans even though much of the killing is Arab on Arab.

To think of it from their point of view in 1948 Mexico somehow takes Texas most of the Texas population flees/is driven out and sets up camps in Oklahoma, Mexico becomes a democratic state but says the population from Texas can not come back and can not get compensation for their lost homes. In 1967 Mexico (with the support of China or Martians) takes New Mexico, Nevada, and California as well, now here there is a difference they do not make it part of Mexico because if they did all the Americans would have to get a vote so they claim it is occupied temporarily but the millions of Mexicans who suddenly move in do get a vote. When the unarmed Americans in California protest over "no Taxation without Representation" and some college students throw stones at the police they are shot.

Obviously in this scenario US is the Arab world, Mexico is Israel, and the over the horizon Martians or Chinese or whatever is the US. Now what is the reaction to English speaking American in Kansas or Chicago who sees English speaking college students or mothers or children being brutalised by Mexican police on their TV every night?

Answer 7

Absolutely NOT, Our policies have even turned the Christians in the middle east against us. In Palestine they are part of Hamas, In Lebonan they have supported Hizb Allah. In Iraq where they lived well under Sadaam they are now attacked by both Sunni and Shiite, most have fled to refugee camps.
The only people who are our friends are the emirs and princes who rule with absolute auhority. Then there are the dictators like Mubarek and Musharef. What a bunch

Answer 8

The thing is, our priority isn't their "hearts and minds"... it is their freedom. Twelve million Iraqis voted in their new government... including women, who were able to vote for the first time, and men who had been denied the right to vote due to their religious/political beliefs. Well, those people got to cast their vote and they voted in the new government... Our purpose now is to support their efforts toward an orderly and peaceful society. Regardless of what you see on the news, we're doing a LOT of good over there... and the bombs going off now, the ones killing all the innocent Iraqi's? They're not ours...

Answer 9

I don't believe that can ever happen. The people of the Middle East have been fighting among themselves and others for centuries, and nothing has had any lasting effect of peace or unity among them. Even the most religious have got their battle lines drawn. So knowing that this has been happening, and with their total dislike of western culture, even before the Gulf War, I can't see that this can happen.

Answer 10

Um, you (Americans) can't even win the minds and hearts of Europeans...or anyone else for that matter. And much of the resentment is due to your arrogance about traipsing all over the globe doing WTF you want. When you guys go down, and it's approaching very quickly, nobody's going to help you out. And that includes the U.K., your traditional lap dog, who has problems greater than your own.

jay_rock,
Why do you assume that my country is U.K.? I do agree, however, that the British are almost as evil as the U.S. when it comes to ruthless imperialism.

I am Canadian, a country who has participated in more U.N. peace missions than any other country in the world. On the other extreme, the U.S. has been in more armed conflicts since WWII than any other country. It's pretty clear what our countries are about.

Answer 11

in some cases,a show of force is needed to maintain balance..because they need to see that force is strong enough to protect them when it is needed.

a show of force throughout whole affairs is absolutely wrong..because this would make the force is not protecting..but threatening..

same case like the US..retaliation against al-qaeda in afghan and an attack in Iraq in which destroying almost all they have..certainly be seen as a destroyer not a protector..

certainly could not win the hearts and minds of the arabs..even with military involvement..you could force them..but in their hearts,an anger so deep that they wish to destroy anyone who has any business with US..