OPINION:
In his op-ed “Punishing the Saudi prince” (Web, Dec. 11), Clifford May places in proper prospective the importance of Saudi Arabia to world stability. He provides valuable insight into the strategic significance of Saudi Arabia in a Middle East torn asunder by various Islamic ideologies. History is an additional critical factor that must be considered. As philosopher Santayana said 100-plus years ago, Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
Forty years ago, American interference in Iran proved disastrous and negatively shaped the destiny of the Mideast. The shah of Iran had embarked on a path leading Iran into the modern era, intent on bringing democratic reform to that Islamic nation. He implemented broad economic and social reforms, including enhanced rights for women, religious and ethnic minorities. Misjudging the situation, then-President Carter made excessive human rights demands of the shah, threatening to withhold military and social aid. This weakened the shah, leading to his overthrow and the return to power of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini.
Today Sunni Saudi Arabia has softened its harsh position against Israel and introduced reforms to Saudi society, much like the shah did in Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an historic visit to Sunni Oman. Israeli athletes sang Hatikvah in the Sunni United Arab Emirates. Like Israel, Saudi recognizes the immense danger of a Shiite Iran pursuing nuclear weaponry.
Have we not learned anything from the disaster of 40 years ago? Yes, in October there was an ugly murder of a human being, journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in Turkey, but shouldn’t we place things in perspective? Should we fundamentally repeat the same mistake by interfering too much in the inner workings of a nation allied with us to combat a huge threat that, unless stopped, might result in millions of people killed? Wouldn’t the Middle East be better off today if the shah had not been overthrown? Where would we be if the current Saudi government were similarly overthrown?
WARREN MANISON
Potomac
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