Setting aside Washington’s woeful Middle East policies, it is worth reminding ourselves that the US is one of the greatest countries on the planet. The world without America would be poorer in terms of technology, space exploration, medical advances, entertainment and life-changing inventions.
Moreover, the fact that the US is such a stable country – given the mix of religions and ethnicities – is miraculous. This potpourri of 320 million individuals, whose ancestors escaped poverty and persecution to follow their dreams, has succeeded in uniting with pride and patriotism under one flag.
During my recent visit to the US, I was privileged to be asked to deliver the keynote speech at the 24th Annual Arab-US Policymakers Conference. In my remarks, I focused on the relationship between the US and the Arab world, our joint security and our historical friendship.
I was, however, critical of Barack Obama’s embrace of Iran, his lack of commitment towards a Palestinian state and his failure to intervene to save the Syrian people sandwiched between regime bombs and terrorists.
America-bashing has become a popular pastime in many parts of the world, not least our own. We have come to the point where if anything doesn’t work, we conclude it is all Washington’s doing. We revel in anti-American conspiracy theories and accept them as the unvarnished truth no matter how fanciful they may seem. There is no country without fault and no person without fault. Just as we are quick to fault the US, we should also celebrate its blessings.
American administrations have blundered through the Middle East since 9/11. Few would deny that US interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have been anything but costly failures or that American mediation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has not worked. But we should accept that like every other world power, the US acts according to its own interests.
We, who have been affected by US actions, have the right to air our views of America’s wrongdoing within our region.
Because America’s global reach is so vast, part of my keynote speech was devoted to next year’s presidential election. Unfortunately, George W Bush was a disaster for our neighbourhood. Mr Obama, who began his presidency with a warm outreach to Muslims, turned out to be as bad, if not worse.During my speech, I endorsed the property magnate Donald Trump as the best candidate for president on the grounds that career politicians are likely to repeat the same mistakes as their predecessors. A businessman might not.
Mr Obama is a great intellectual who is able to see all sides of the argument. That can be an asset in the legal profession from which he was drawn, but in leadership it makes for paralysis and indecision.
Polls indicate that voters seek a fresh face with fresh ideas, which is why Mr Trump is still surging ahead despite his straight-talking that some consider offensive.
He says what he thinks and goes with his gut, no matter what anyone else thinks. He may not have a complete grasp of all the issues yet, but he speaks the truth as he sees it. His statements are only shocking to people who are not used to politicians coming out with the truth even when it hurts.
As of now, it looks like Mr Trump and Hillary Clinton will be facing off at the finish, which is good news. America will choose between a strong and successful businessman and one of the toughest women in politics, whose composure before a Senate Committee investigating the attack on the US mission in Benghazi was outstanding. Mrs Clinton looked presidential and she remained cool, calm and collected even under vicious personal attack.
Americans will be spoilt for choice in 2016. But whether it is Mr Trump or Mrs Clinton, or a combination of both, there is a good chance that Americans – and hopefully, the peoples of the Mena region – will be the winners.
Khalaf Al Habtoor is chairman of the Al Habtoor Group
