Southern Congressman offers unusual perspective on Middle East

Alabama Congressman Arthur Davis gave Tufts students a unique viewpoint on the Middle East Monday evening in hopes of both challenging students "to see the America we don't see" and to find a peaceful resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian dilemma.

A Democrat who represents the seventh district in Montgomery, Alabama -- the third poorest district in the nation -- Davis believes that the United States faces two scenarios, both of which include war against Iraq. The difference between the scenarios lies in whether or not there is a "quick and swift end of hostilities in Iraq" and to the constant reality of terrorism in the United States, similar to constant threat in Israel.

Though an end to the hostilities is more probable, Davis said that the other scenario is also possible and the US might even witness a two-front conflict with Iraq and North Korea, a country that has recently been put on the back burner of foreign affairs while the Bush administration deals with Iraq.

The uncertainty of how events will unfold in the next couple of months is "a rare moment in American history," Davis said. The decisions made within the next twelve months will either lead to a more secure nation or one that will be even more threatened for a number of years, he said.

Despite the ugly conditions in the Middle East, Davis remained hopeful for future peace. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "has the potential to be a unifying figure" for his people, he said, due to his support of a Palestinian state. The "flexibility" exhibited by Sharon has not been as evident as the less durable leadership of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who has shown an inability to "police his own people," Davis said.

Although Davis showed support for the Bush administration's decision of war with Iraq, he expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the case has been made with the international community.

Davis blamed the foreign opposition to the war on the "lack of consistency" in the words and actions of the White House. The Bush administration had to be "dragged kicking and screaming to the United Nations" last summer though it has courted the UN the in past two months, he said.

One of the most interesting questions raised by the audience was the concept of "democratization of the Middle East." Democratic countries rarely go to war, Davis said, but many Middle Eastern countries that lack the economic stability that is a necessary condition of a democracy.

Davis sees "permanent moderation" of the region as a more realistic path, though it depends on the acceptance of the Middle Eastern people. "A government that does not resonate with the people will not be successful," he said.

The Congressman also forayed into domestic politics and identified three pressing issues that must be immediately addressed by Congress: social security and Medicare, the federalization of education, and a program that offers incentives for savings and home ownership for Americans.

Most students had only compliments for the Southern Congressman. Sophomore Adam Aslan appreciated the way Davis "tried to explore the issues and administer a fair discussion."

The event was sponsored by the Hillel and Pan-African Alliance, which seeks to build a community between the Jewish and Black students on campus.