A Perspective on Middle Eastern Views of U.S. Foreign Policy

An opinion article by Majeed Gly, president of the American Kurdish Committee.

Background and Recent Travels

Majeed Gly, who states he was born near the Iranian border, writes from the perspective of his recent travels to Erbil, Riyadh, and Dubai.

Regional Sentiment Toward America

In his recent travels, Gly claims that people in the Middle East expressed relief, not anger, toward America.

He elaborates that for many in the region, the conflict referenced did not begin on February 28, but decades earlier. According to Gly, a significant change occurred when a U.S. president decided to confront a problem rather than manage it, and he asserts that people in the region noticed this change.

Aspirations of a Young Population

Gly presents a demographic claim, stating that 140 million people under age 30 across the Gulf, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan want jobs, stable countries, and a future not dictated by ideology.

He observes that new leaders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kurdistan, and Syria are working toward these goals. Furthermore, he notes that young professionals in Erbil, Riyadh, and Dubai discuss startups, AI, and opportunity.

Cited Examples of Development

The article highlights specific regional developments:

• The United Arab Emirates: It notes that the UAE developed from empty desert 50 years ago into a global commerce center.
• The Kurdistan Region of Iraq: It states the region built an open society, became a safe haven for persecuted Christians, and developed a stable, multibillion-dollar economy despite an economic embargo by Iran-backed forces. The article also notes that nearly all U.S. forces in Iraq are housed in the Kurdistan Region.