| As an ongoing response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Bush Administration has made the promotion of democracy in the Middle East a national security priority. Therefore, the United States invaded Iraq in 2003 in order to start spreading democracy in the Middle East. However, from my own perspective, I believe that Lebanon, not Iraq, is the key for democracy in the Middle East because Lebanon has experience in democracy and a capability of exporting it within the region. In order to support my belief, this study analyzes three of many factors that distinguish Lebanon from Middle Eastern countries. The first factor is the free and diverse Lebanese media that is able to transfer the ideas of freedom and democracy to the Arab world. The second factor is the advanced and well-developed Lebanese educational system, which is able to provide a center for training and educating entire generations; who would be able to lead into democratization. And finally, the third factor is the diversity of Lebanese women that distinguishes them from other women in the region and which is able to lead to women's empowerment and gender equality. Thus, democracy has more hope in Lebanon than in other Middle Eastern countries. However, the main problem that faces the full establishment of democracy in this country is the disarmament of Hezbollah. Once this problem is resolved, democracy will be fully established in Lebanon and then it will spread to the whole Middle East. |
