The Chaotic Middle East: Reform is the Only Solution

Sectarianism has long been blamed as the major driving force behind the continued violence in the Middle East. Yet, little attention has been given to the lacking governance mechanisms in countries like Iraq, especially after deteriorating President Saddam regime. The instability in the region doesn’t seem to be stoppable so far unless true democracy values are placed and promoted. Sectarian movements will continue to benefit from the weak governments that lack true public support. The Arab leaders need new and different approaches in order to overcome the long-standing hurdles before true growth. People involvement requires new regulations and well-educated senior officials who have honest and serious intentions of serving their nations apart from their own interests. Our problems lie in our continued denial of the existing paradoxes of contradictions and unacceptable behavior of both officials and public figures. Youth groups are yet to find their way up to the top of the political pyramid or even be engaged in shaping their countries’ future.
The core problem in the Middle East, at least that’s how I see it, is that we have not been able to determine what exactly are the problems, their root causes, the historical roots and conditions of their causes, and the influential factors that have worsened them throughout their course of evolution. Lack of true and effective reforms seems the most persistent phenomenon in many countries, and few steps have actually been made towards the hoped engagement of all the components and major constituents in the Middle East countries. Doctors say that diagnosing the problem or the disease is the most critical stage, in order for the problem to get resolved. Yet, there is a continued denial or perhaps intentional negligence of the fact that many of the repeated economic and social policies and imported economic remedies have been shown unsuccessful, and more importantly that the senior officials who have repeatedly occupied the executive offices, which are responsible for planning and executing the aforementioned policies, are major component of the current problems in the Middle East.
There is another major phenomenon that seems also persistent, the people mentality has been progressing very slowly towards the new era, facing difficulties adapting new perspectives and developing independent thoughts on how to contribute politically in the right way that could help their countries. People need to start thinking seriously of their kids’ future, if they wish a better future for them of course. The least they could do is to believe in democracy, constitution, state of law, merit, transparency, productivity and engagement in the political process, and more importantly rethink their false beliefs and interpretations.
True reform is indeed the only solution to the chaotic Middle East. Such reform needs enormous efforts from all concerned parties. In the meantime, the international community needs to step up and have more effective and fair engagement in the Middle East, they need to strongly fight all the terrorist groups with no mercy, they need to effectively support the countries that face huge burdens as a consequence of the continued civil war in Syria, and Jordan should be on the top priorities as a strategic ally for the international community in fighting against terrorism.