Retired Lt. General and Former NSA Director Says Democratic Governance in Iraq and Middle East is “Beyond Their Capacities,” and it’s Promotion Destabilizing
“Victory is not an option”
William E. Odom, Washington Post
February 12, 2007
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Lt. General, William E. Odom, former Army intelligence and director of the National Security Agency, writes in a Washington Post op-ed piece that the National Intelligence Estimate (NEI) on Iraq demonstrates that “a stable liberal democracy in Iraq that is pro-American” cannot be produced from the current war.  Odom says that democracy in Iraq is a “mirage.”

Odom expands his argument to claim that U.S. policy of spreading democracy has a destabilizing effect in the Middle East.  He defines constitutional democracies as countries “that their domestic order is protected by a broadly accepted rule of law, and has survived for at least a generation.” Odom believes that “creating a stable constitutional democracy (in the Arab world is) beyond their capacities.”    According to Odom’s estimates, of the 40 democracies established since World War II less than ten can be considered constitutional, and “none is a country with Arabic and Muslim political cultures.”

The author blames scholars of democratic development for being “irresponsibly quiet” despite the prospect of democracy in Iraq defying “just about everything known by professional students of the topic.”

To view this article in its entirety, please visit the Washington Post web site.

CCD is interested in the opinion of our readers, especially on unfolding events in our field.  Mr. Odom’s comments that constitutional democracy requires “rule of law that has survives for at least a generation,” and that achieving it in Arab countries is “beyond their capacities,” are statements contradictory to CCD's mission and merit a rejoinder.

1. What is your opinion on Mr. Odom’s statements? 
2. Is it possible to achieve democracy without a generation of the rule of law? 
3. Can democratic governance be achieved in the Arab world?  

Please send any questions or comments to info@ccd21.org, we look forward to receiving your views.