The Middle Eastern Powder Keg: Why Ignoring Public Anger in the Arab World is a Dangerous Mistake for America and Middle Eastern Regimes

Introduction

The Middle East is currently experiencing a wave of protests and mass demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians, following the recent attack on Israel by Hamas. Egyptians, Iraqis, Moroccans, Tunisians, and Yemenis have taken to the streets in vast numbers, and Jordanians have even marched on the Israeli embassy. While some may dismiss these protests as manageable and insignificant, this view reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the importance of public opinion in the Middle East and a deep misreading of what has truly changed since the 2011 uprisings.

The Myth of the “Arab Street”

The term “Arab street” is often used by policymakers to reduce the complexities of regional public opinion to the rantings of an irrational, hostile, and emotional mob. This term has deep roots in British and French colonial rule and was adopted by the United States during the Cold War. However, this perception rests on a basic misunderstanding of Arab politics and continues to drive U.S. Middle East policy, as well as many policy analyses of the region.

In reality, Arab public opinion is shaped by a complex set of factors, including historical grievances, cultural values, and political ideologies. While it may be easier to dismiss Arab support for the Palestinian territories as rooted in atavistic anti-Semitism or to wave away public fury at U.S. policies as cynically drummed up by politicians, this approach fails to address the reasons for Arabs’ anger and to find ways to address their concerns.

The Arab Uprisings of 2011 and their Aftermath

The Arab uprisings of 2011 marked a turning point in the region’s political landscape. While the uprisings were initially driven by economic and political grievances, they quickly became intertwined with the issue of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict. The protests that followed the October 7 attack on Israel are a testament to the enduring importance of this issue in the region.

However, the aftermath of the uprisings has also shown that the region’s autocratic leaders are not immune to public pressure. Despite their record of ignoring their people’s preferences, the protests that followed the October 7 attack on Israel have forced some leaders to take a more assertive stance against Israel. This shift reflects a growing awareness among Middle Eastern leaders that they can no longer afford to ignore public opinion on this issue.

The Role of the United States

The United States has long been a major player in the Middle East, and its policies have a significant impact on the region’s political landscape. However, the U.S. has a long history of disregarding public opinion in the Middle East, preferring to deal with pragmatic autocrats rather than engage with publics it regards as irrational, extremist mobs.

This approach has contributed to the U.S.’s dismal record of policy failures in the region. By dismissing popular concerns, the U.S. has failed to address the root causes of the region’s instability and has instead contributed to the rise of extremist groups and the erosion of trust in the U.S. among the Arab public.

Conclusion

The protests that followed the October 7 attack on Israel are a reminder that public opinion matters in the Middle East. Ignoring this fact is a dangerous mistake that could have serious consequences for both Middle Eastern regimes and the United States.

To avoid this mistake, the U.S. and Middle Eastern regimes must take Arab public opinion seriously and engage with it in a meaningful way. This means acknowledging the region’s historical grievances, cultural values, and political ideologies and finding ways to address the concerns of the Arab public.

By doing so, the U.S. and Middle Eastern regimes can help to build a more stable and secure region, where the concerns of the Arab public are taken seriously and addressed in a meaningful way. This is not only in the best interests of the Arab public, but also in the best interests of the U.S. and Middle Eastern regimes themselves.