The lecture addressed the new US strategy following
September 11 that aims to preempt attacks against
America. Changing the dynamics of international
affairs, the new strategy is indeed evident in the Middle
East, with US goals to achieve not only stability within
the Middle East, but also access to Gulf oil. The speaker
discussed how such goals are achievable, citing the US
military presence in the Gulf, which has fostered mixed
feelings among the Gulf Arab nations regarding its
involvement in Iraq and support for Israel.
Regarding the achievements of the US military,
there is a gap due to the failure to follow the anticipated
political and civil program in Iraq. The speaker
recommended that perhaps one way out of the impasse
would be for the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority
to give responsibility for the transition of power to
the UN. After elections, the UN would hand over
the governing of Iraq to the Iraqis. The international
community would still be required to provide resources
and civil and military training programs, however.
He also noted that the war against terror will
succeed only if the Arab-Israeli conflict ends justly. This
will be followed by a withdrawal of the US military from
Iraq and Afghanistan. He highlighted the need for the
US to establish stability within these countries, warning
of the deterioration of security within the Middle East
and increased incidents of global terrorism should the
circumstances within the region fail to stabilize.