In what Middle East country do Arabs enjoy the greatest civil liberties? That is a question worthy of the investigation of the Middle East correspondents of Time, the Washington Post, the New York Times, et al. It may even be worthy of reflection by President Obama.
Freedom House conducts an annual survey that goes a long way in answering the question. The Kuwait Times published a good article on the Freedom House survey in 2008. The article is no longer available online, but I’m pretty sure the Kuwait Times did a better job on the story than the New York Times did. The New York Times gave it the silent treatment.
The Freedom House 2011 report was released earlier this year. The report’s map of the Middle East and North Africa provides a color coded depiction of the state of freedom in each of the region’s countries. You might have to squint a little hard to find the answer to which country is freest, but it’s the only country depicted in green. Click to enlarge:
This is a point we have made many times before, but it is an important point that bears repetition. It is one point that, among others, even seems to have inspired Andrew Klavan to develop “Klavan’s one-state solution: Give the Middle East to the Jews.” Whether or not one agrees with Klavan’s one-state solution, his explanation is a good pedagogic device. Now if we could only get him a little face time with President Obama. . .
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“Arise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.” Winston Churchill
“Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.” Inscription on the Liberty Bell
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