War Will Not Bring Democracy to the Middle East

Abstract

Advocates of the Iraq War argued that regime change would catalyze a democratic wave across the Middle East. However, this perspective is misguided. Historical precedents, such as the 1953 CIA coup in Iran and recent experiences in Afghanistan, demonstrate that democracy cannot be imposed through military intervention. Instead, war is likely to increase regional instability and repression, fueling anti-American sentiment. True democracy promotion requires non-military approaches, as evidenced by Secretary of State Powell's $25 million democratic initiative for the Middle East. The article concludes that war with Iraq is unlikely to bring democracy to the region and may exacerbate existing tensions.