Paper short abstract:

The historic failures of the Western powers in supporting authoritarian regimes and the consequent repressions are the causes of the turmoil in the Middle East. The paper offers ideas of power-sharing arrangements among the different ethnic groups that still could stop the conflagration.

Paper long abstract:

In spite of the unequal sizes of different ethnic and sectarian segments of both Iraq and Syria, there could have been political arrangements of power-sharing and delicate balance between the central and local governments that could have integrated the countries a long time ago. These possibilities of creating the win-win state of affairs were destroyed by the West in supporting authoritarian regimes favoring one group over the others. The consequence of that, in the long run, has been costly and counterproductive for the West and extremely detrimental and painful for these Middle Eastern countries. The paper explores the solution to these crises the essence of which is reconciliation and integration through power-sharing and inclusive politics with the help of the world powers. A situation of ethnic or other diversity is not a problem, rather, it could be contributing towards the country's development if the culture of pluralism prevails. The key reason for the phenomenal success of the United States in our time is its progressive socio-political processes of integration of the most diverse immigrant communities coming from all corners of the world. My paper also examines the importance of establishing proper checks and balances not only among the organs of a state but also among the different factors and forces of a society. A good governing system to achieve social justice and economic growth offer a better future to the vast young generation in the Muslim world. This is the key to defeat radicalism and terrorism in our world.