Middle Eastern Security Challenges for Our New President
A Talk by John P. Abizaid, Former Commander of CENTCOM
December 3, 2008 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Avaya Auditorium, ACES Building, 2.302
View a webcast of this event »
To read an article by the Austin American Statesman go here.
The Robert S. Strauss Center welcomed General John Abizaid, USA, Rtd., on Wednesday, December 3 on the challenges facing the new President in the Middle East. Dr. James M. Lindsay, Director of the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law, moderated the discussion.
General Abizaid was asked to describe the major Middle Eastern challenges facing the incoming president-elect. He noted four strategic concerns: the rise of Sunni extremism; the rise of Shia extremism as epitomized by Iran; the continuing corrosive effect of the Arab-Israeli conflict; and the U.S. overreliance on Middle Eastern oil. He argued that these concerns will be present throughout President-Elect Obama’s administration and long after.
Dr. Lindsay asked General Abizaid to identify the most effective way to confront Islamic extremism. General Abizaid stated that a “clash of civilizations” can be prevented if we recognize that most Muslims do not support extremism and, in fact, oppose it. He also stressed the necessity of Muslim countries becoming more accountable to their people. According to General Abizaid, the United States must work with Muslim countries to combat the extremist threat and bridge cultural gaps.
Dr. Lindsay then asked about the feasibility of withdrawal from Iraq. General Abizaid said that withdrawal is indeed feasible as long as the Iraqis are able to form a stable, functioning government. The key to achieving this, he said, is keeping the Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds from becoming extremists while aggressively pursuing radical Islamists. He also said that a functioning Iraqi government depends largely on Iraq’s neighbors determining that a stable Iraq is in their best interest.
Dr. Lindsay then turned the discussion to Iran, asking if Tehran can be deterred from trying to influence Iraq’s internal politics. General Abizaid stressed the importance of facilitating dialogue with the Iranians. Contrary to popular thought, Iran is not a super state and its nuclear ambitions actually serve to weaken Iran’s status in the international community. General Abizaid stated his belief that Iran can be dealt with reasonably while cautioning that no options should be taken off the table.
Regarding Afghanistan, Dr. Lindsay asked General Abizaid whether he agreed with the assertion made by General James Jones, President-elect Obama’s choice to be national security adviser, that NATO is not winning the war against the Taliban and al-Qaida. After stating that a “win” in Afghanistan is difficult to define, General Abizaid suggested that the United States should focus on Pakistan. He suggested that the United States use its leverage to encourage Pakistan to control its border regions. The Pakistanis, in General Abizaid’s view, have been responsible for taking out more al Qaida leaders than even the United States has because Pakistani officials recognize the threat that extremism poses to their security.
On the Israeli-Arab conflict, General Abizaid stated that the United States needed to protect Israel, establish a better future for Palestinians, and defuse the conflict in a way that allows Israel to integrate into the community of Middle Eastern nation-states at large. The best way to accommodate this process, he argued, is through the use of subtle diplomacy.
Dr. Lindsay then asked about the current state of the U.S. army. General Abizaid said that although morale in the armed forces is fragile, the military continues to succeed in its operational objectives. He further stressed the importance of retaining mid-grade officers.
Dr. Lindsay invited the audience to participate. Gen. Abizaid fielded questions on Saudi extremism, the right of Iran to defend itself from attack, changes the U.S. army has undergone to address insurgency and terrorism, Somalia, and the draft.
General Abizaid addressed the audience on security challenges facing the president-elect.
Following his presentation, General Abizaid fielded questions from the audience.
The Strauss Center is nonpartisan and takes no institutional position on any issue. All statements of fact and all expressions of opinion at Center events are the sole responsibility of the speaker.
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