Academic Year 2008-2009

How Should the Obama Administration Deal with the Problem of Terrorism?
Wednesday, December 3, 12:30PM
The Fares Center Conference Room, Tufts University
Speakers: Stephen Allen, Erin Clancy, Hawazin Naseef, Andrea Walther, Tarek Zeidan
Moderator: Ambassador William A. Rugh, Fares Center Visiting Scholar; Edward R. Murrow Visiting Professor of Public Diplomacy, The Fletcher School

Summary

Ambassador William Rugh moderated a panel discussion surveying student opinions of the Obama administrations anticipated approach to terrorism. In light of the high priority current President Bush has placed on waging the global war against terrorism, the incoming government must decide whether or not to carry it forward.

Stephen Allen, MALD 10, argues that fighting terrorism will present almost insurmountable challenges for the Obama administration, but that it seems the international community has lent the incoming president wide leeway in formulating new policy. Allen commented on the security situation in Afghanistan, where he found the fortification of embassy compounds specifically striking. The general restriction of diplomatic life in the Middle East was even more severe in Kabul, where diplomats barely left the compound at all. While he pointed out the necessity of such measures, Allen also felt that the elevated security prevents everyday interactions with Afghanis, particularly those who might possess useful intelligence, and can give the impression that the United States is about shooting first and asking questions later. Finally, Allen expressed his opinion that the main problem faced by international organizations and foreign individuals in Afghanistan is balancing security with access.

Erin Clancy, MALD 09, spoke of her summer spent interning at the US Embassy in Syria, where she experienced a remarkably different security posture. Despite the presence of al Qaeda members and other jihadists, as well as an attempted truck bombing of the embassy in 2006, she considered overall security to be sometimes very bad. Regarding Obama's future policy decisions, Clancy believes that the president-elect will put a high premium on going after terrorists. In general, she thinks Obama will continue to be just as hawkish in his pursuit of al Qaeda as the Bush administration has been, but should also devote attention to state sponsors of terrorism. She claims that cutting off diplomatic relations with Syria has led to a loss of an important intelligence ally, because terrorism is no longer reserved for states.

Hawazin Naseef, MALD 09, began with a discussion of the differing definitions of terrorism in the United States and the Middle East. This disparity leads to a larger problem in which Western governments consider Hamas and Hizbollah terrorist organizations, while the Arab world sees them as legitimate. Naseef objects primarily to the name the war on terror, and thinks the Obama administration should define it more restrictively. She hopes the new president will continue the Bush administrations approach to education, reform, women's rights, and poverty eradication in the Middle East. However, she objects to the Bush Doctrine in general, preferring diplomatic cooperation with other countries and coercion through the channels of the United Nations to attacking sovereign nations. Finally, she explained that defending the war on terror should not always focus on Islam, as Bush's approach to terrorism has led many Muslims to think a global war is being waged against them.

Andrea Walther, MALD 09, discussed what she saw as one of the formative moments in the war on terror, the 2006 Dubai Ports World deal, in which seven US ports would have been taken over by the UAE-owned company. The objection of key senate Republicans, followed by public outcry, forced DPW to call off the deal, even after it had been approved by the White House. Walther said that this scandal caused many private international companies to reconsider investment in the United States. She stressed the importance of keeping Americas borders open, and taking care not to alienate and embarrass its allies, as the UAE has been one of the most forthright Middle Eastern countries, and helpful in port security discussions. Walther went on to say that Obama must also reach out not only to foreign nations, but also to the American public, a key force in bringing down the DPW deal, because the way the administration communicates with the public will be key to enacting successful policies.  

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