The region’s trajectory is worrisome: weak states unable to police their territory; the few relatively strong states competing for primacy; militias and terrorist groups gaining greater influence; and the erasure of borders. The local political culture confuses democracy with majoritarianism, with elections used as vehicles to consolidate power, not share it.
中东地区的动向令人担忧：弱国无力治理领土；极少数相对较强的国家为主宰权而互相争夺；军事和恐怖组织影响力日盛；而国家边界日益模糊。地方政治文化分不清民主和多数人统治，选举沦为巩固而不是分享权力的工具。