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Does the Middle East want democracy?

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    Critics say upheaval is less like Berlin Wall, more like 1979 Iran

  • Duration 5:31
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For the Obama administration has compared the overthrow of the dictators.

In the Arab Spring last year to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Suggesting that it would usher in a new -- of democracy that they were inspired.

By the freedom seekers -- -- -- on the ground during that time with the turmoil that we are now seeing in these videos that is sweeping across the Middle East this week.

Some are saying that that analogy.

May be pretty far off.

Some now saying that this is more like a repeat of the 1979.

Revolution in Tehran other comparisons are also being made so we're joined now on Skype.

By man with a vast experience in this region Ryan Crocker former US ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ambassador welcome good to have you here today.

You -- to be here you know there was a quote I read this morning from the secretary of state Hillary Clinton during the Arab Spring period and she said you know we we.

Are reminded of the fall of the Berlin Wall when we look at the scenes in the Arab Spring back then.

And she said America had a lot of experience with helping to build democracies in those situations.

Is that analogy holding up.

Well those were.

Pretty exciting days as you remember it Tucker square.

The he's full.

An abdication of Mubarak and his government -- same thing in Tunisia.

But their road to democracy is a long rocky road as we're seeing in the Arab Spring can.

-- some very bitter -- as were also seen so.

-- I certainly don't.

That democracy in these countries but it is not going to be keeping.

Yeah I guess the next question becomes if this is.

As you say perhaps and that's -- that would be a hopeful way to look at it that that there is a roadmap to democracy here what role.

Can the US play and should we be hearing more -- from the president from the secretary of state in light of what's going on.

I think it is great question I think we have to be read as heavily engaged as you can.

I hope very much -- he tragic murder and my friend Chris Stevens and his colleagues doesn't -- this and will return.

They need us right now.

Yeah -- peace with them engages.

Those who receive better outcomes.

Or their country is to encourage him to give him the benefit of our experience.

Including in the region.

As some -- hard experience.

But today we we've we've got to be on scene diplomatically with her NGOs.

And -- we have being gators.

You know I wonder what you think about the fact that we heard for a whole week basically from the administration that this was a spontaneous.

Outpouring.

Have a motion it was triggered by a movie.

Then we heard that it was all about releasing the blind Sheikh.

And as they just they spoke to another guest earlier in the McCarthy I mean he.

Does does good this service to the American people to explain it that way.

And to not say that there is an underlying current here that causes great concern.

It is simplistic.

Their explanation -- Middle -- are almost always wrong it's -- very complicated area within -- complicated history.

The answer -- because all of the above there is some.

Spontaneous outrage over the videos certain he.

Spread by word of mouth.

A lot of people haven't seen it narrow protesting against it anyway.

They it is also clear that -- says demonstrations in some cases are being manipulated by highly organized to very anti American very vocal groups.

We have to understand that as well and we've got to work with.

With governments in the area will moderate Sunni area with people who come to know.

Kids get after reality and then then -- -- I mentioned some historical analogy is coming incidence and some people say that when the shot was overthrown in Iran.

There was a lot of hope for some people.

And we know how that ended up you know women not being being able to barely show their faces.

In in the streets.

In Iran a lot of frustration that that didn't come out the way it was when you look at this.

Which witnesses -- -- -- you know is this the abdication of the Russians aren't what followed that is it.

You know is it -- -- is it Hamas.

Which you know has been very problematic obviously or is it a better scenario.

Yeah.

It and it can be any of those things mark and that is why I think our engagement.

Our presence on the ground diplomatically is so important.

But to understand what's going on each country each society is different.

In two help moderate senate pro democracy elements -- events not let them run off on the wrong.

It could be the Russian revolution it could be different revolution which after -- pretty -- -- Obviously turned out pretty well.

Before that -- I'm sorry are you frustrated that we're not hearing more from Hillary Clinton and President Obama.

Had eight I think that it that the message we need to hear is we've got -- -- here these outcomes or not.

Preordained we can influence them but we -- be here to do it.

Thank you so much ambassador Crocker and so is good to have you let us.

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