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Does Obama's democratic policies impact Middle East?

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    Brian Benjamin and Dan Halloran discuss the effect on Middle Eastern regimes

  • Duration 4:11
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This transcript is automatically generated

-- here there's so much to talk about.

You you gentlemen we're sitting here when Leland was little resigned -- -- reporting his.

His war stories close and personal.

One of the things that seem to get the most nod to you guys win viewing was making his his comments in and giving his account of the way he sees it there from the front line.

When I asked him what changed in terms of you know -- saying you know.

Just a few years ago ten years ago and you couldn't think about what was happening in in the Middle -- and he's seeing now be very easy shift.

-- since it was a policy shift and he.

O'Brien -- the start with you -- And what would what I got from witness would Leland said was that basically our president's policies.

Seemed to be more on the side of -- democracy.

Instead of our allies -- President Bush George W.

Bush.

His policies is more you know what democracy can set aside let's keep our relationship with our allies strong and in place.

Sure I think.

What we need to also take in consideration was that.

Right and wrong and I think to a certain -- many of us witnessed a lot of tried to seek tragedies against against people.

And you know at some we have to decide.

Your principles -- more important and sort of your views on your allies and and and so if -- -- doing bad things yet to make decisions and I think.

The president did the right thing I mean I think it's hard for us as a country it is to say we have the moral high ground.

And watch atrocities being waste on on people in in various countries and so for me.

-- Egypt a particularly.

I think we did the right thing because I mean how can we think we're Americans and we don't fight for freedom for everybody only I think.

Coptic Christians might have slightly different perspective in Egypt as to whether or not the new regime is better than the old regime.

They've been attacked their churches have been blown -- thousands of them have been injured hundreds have died.

We didn't -- in Iran when there was a freedom movement so it's a very selective group of pro democracy things that are happening and unlike the calculus of George W I'm not a big fan of you know he was -- -- the president and so therefore I respect him.

But you put a lot of big government in my opinion as a Republican I'm not so happy with.

But the one thing he did do is measure -- the consequences and we knew he -- 00 what consequences what that I consequences of the changes in the politics would would would would result in one of the changes we've all been worried about.

Is the possibility that Muslim Brotherhood would dominate those legislatures.

And when he did that.

It would move.

Further away from our western notions of democracy which culturally speaking are not something that has ever taken root in the Middle East.

You know there's still monarchies with real power not constitutional monarchies.

But outright -- running Saudi Arabia that culture of the country is not predispose to democracy.

So when you infused democracy I think we said was right on point.

One man one vote one time.

And then after that you wind -- -- with theocratic rule.

Or.

Some hybrid as they had in Afghanistan.

Post Russia.

You know when the Soviets pulled out Afghanistan became sort of a free for rule we slip slip into the hands of the -- -- Who were financed in large part by al-Qaeda who got many of its resources from Saudi Arabia from Yemen.

And that money pool.

Enable them.

Did you -- far beyond what their numbers would have dictate.

And I'm not suggesting for a minute that there wasn't a democratic movement there was correct what you worry guys who winds up in charge once the votes are counted.

That's the variable that seems to be falling apart in the Middle East.

Well I look I think if you look at Egypt particularly.

I mean that was a big revolution -- agree FaceBook me there was so much emotion behind and and he -- -- -- but I do believe it's important for our country.

To be clear on.

You know it's it's difficult I mean for me and -- you are talking about it because.

I do believe in and stand with allies -- would -- -- defendants in that but at the same time.

You know what about the rights of when what human rights and and to meet battles of the important part and I don't think we can say that the president.

-- think those who think the consideration it's just that I think he made a decision and here we are.

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