Good intentions aren’t enough in the Middle East

For the vast majority of the world’s countries and their leaders, whether presidents or kings, their motivations are well-intentioned—they want to serve their people and participate in the broader global order set out and protected today by the United States. But even with the best intentions and trillions of dollars spent, we must concede failure when it comes to the Middle East, where hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and millions displaced.

You may remember the story of the Prophet Joseph, who was a slave, but whom Pharaoh trusted to guide Egypt through seven years of abundance and seven years of famine. Joseph had the knowledge and skills to save Egypt, and Pharaoh was wise enough to enlist and empower Joseph—local knowledge and credibility are critical to success.

{mosads}In the Middle East, America needs more Josephs.

Having studied in Colorado for six years, I know America is a great nation because Americans are great people. Though less than 5 percent of the world’s population, Americans account for 30 percent of global charitable giving, or more than $360 billion annually. And American values of democracy, the rule of law, protection for minority populations, and respect for human rights have improved the world beyond America’s borders.

I know that many Americans will rightfully think the Middle East is “not our problem,” that it is not worth expending more lives and treasure, and that the U.S. must refocus inward. However, as extremists from San Bernardino to Paris to Mumbai have shown, the problems of the Middle East are spreading globally. Migration from the Middle East and North Africa to Europe is already creating serious strains and may ultimately destabilize Europe.

The turmoil and instability in the Middle East are not hopeless, and a better Middle East needs the United States working with the right local interlocutors, agents and actors. While Arabs are ultimately responsible for their present and future, the region needs the guidance and leadership of a strong United States. And the U.S. needs to use its resources efficiently and effectively. Pharaoh needs his Joseph.

I am an investor, and it is my strong belief that investment is in its essence understanding—the more understanding, the less risky and better an investment. In the Middle East, the U.S. has invested with little understanding of local circumstances. The U.S. needs to build relationships with individuals in the region that create granular yet strategic understanding of local circumstance, politics and players.

The world needs an engaged and assertive U.S., and the Middle East needs this leadership now. Re-engaging in the region is not without obstacles and risks, and I would highlight two challenges the U.S. and its diplomats will face but also can exploit.

First, corruption is rampant in the Middle East and undermines all efforts to improve the region. Nonetheless, it is a leverage point for the U.S.—corrupt people are cowards and become compliant when threatened with exposure. U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies need to empower American diplomats with the tools to hammer these corrupt cowards undermining regional stability. And this should be done with the guidance of — and even delivery by — the “Josephs” of the region. We can create deep and precise understanding for the U.S. to use, making American power more effective.

Second, there is a toxic combination of loss of trust in U.S. leadership and a total failure to understand one another.  The U.S. has been ineffective at delivering its message and motivating Arab countries to work toward the greater good. President Trump says he wants the U.S. to resume its role as the top superpower. The U.S. will need to set a clear path and will need to demand each country in the region contribute the money, manpower and commitment needed to execute that vision. But again, the U.S. will need to work with individual Arabs to deliver certain messages in a way that local leaders will understand.

Even those that are not enemies of the U.S. may be enemies of success—corruption, bureaucracy, lack of accountability, and the inertia plaguing the Middle East—are strong impediments to Pax Americana. But these are not insurmountable, and demanding that countries address these issues works toward everyone’s benefit while also lessening the reliance of the region on the U.S.

In short, the U.S. should set a clear agenda for the Middle East and then encourage, cajole, bully, threaten, and deliver on those threats when needed, all with local Arab assistance. This may seem overly aggressive, but the region’s problems are spreading to the West, the matter is urgent and the hour is late.

To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, America and President Trump have immense power. It is time that America wields its power wisely, strategically, and unapologetically in the Middle East. Many of us are ready to help.