Many Arabs are rejoicing as they watch Iraqis toppling statues and burning images of their former dictator. But the joy is tempered by frustration, concern, skepticism, and some concede, embarrassment. “Should we laugh or cry today?” asks one opinion piece in a Dubai newspaper. The tears are because the United States did what the people of Iraq could not–and that is overthrow Saddam Hussein….and worse that the US did it live on television so everyone could watch the ignominious collapse of such an historic city. The laughter though is equally tempting, springing from the shared joy of saying goodbye to a despised despot. But many in the Arab world are bristling at the images of U.S. Marines perched on their tanks, looking down at Baghdad. Liberation and humiliation.
Guests:
Michael Hudson, professor of Arab studies and International Relations at Georgetown University.
Abdel Bari-Atwan, Editor-in-Chief of Al Quds
Khaled Al-Maeena, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News
Francis Matthew, editor of Gulf News in Dubai
Rami Khouri, executive editor of the Daily Star in Beirut.