The world today is in a state of alert and follows the US election for various reasons, so it is no surprise the Arab media is also following it. The question here is how does the US election affect us in the Middle East, which has been in turmoil for years. Why we are following the election? What's in it for us?

I am a keen observer of the US election. I find that the method and the electoral process, as well as the debates between the candidates and their deputies, have a democratic value that we need to emulate here in the Middle East. We all understand that the political game contains elements of excitement and a little drama. It is also an art and science, so it is natural that each party would try to do whatever they can to get more votes. It is a race to win, so some action won't hurt.

As for the impact of the outcome of the US election on us here in the Middle East, I do not think the result would be able to extinguish the fire, especially if the US continues to shake trust with its allies here in the region by issuing laws such as the JASTA law that serves no interest for US policy in the region. Maybe there are things we do not know about American politics, but the United States would be committing a mistake if it resorts to extremism in dealing with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Since I am an observer of US policy in general for a long time, I am very biased towards the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. I know I'm not a US citizen and have no right to vote, but I am entitled, in my opinion, as a woman to support her. To me, Clinton proved to be a courageous lady who worked hard to reach success and stand for the presidency of what is considered the most powerful nation in the world today.

Most statistics confirm that women are more in number than men. The problem here is that women in general in all societies of the world feel jealous towards successful women, and therefore they do not support successful women or those who are trying to reach the top! Some freak out when I say I support Hillary Clinton because she is a woman and has a right to stand to demand what she wants according to the law and constitution. Men being biased towards men is considered acceptable, but women being biased towards women is seen as unacceptable!

In my opinion, the statements of Republican candidate Donald Trump against Muslims, women and minorities are scary and shameful. The empire Trump built brought personal success for himself and his family. We won't die if we do not use his golf courses. The situation in the Middle East is very worrying and relationships do not seem consistent among most countries. We in the GCC are bound by a common future, the most powerful of the last links of history. We have to warn those who are trying to spread strife at home, either through currents of radical Islamism or from abroad, who may now be drumming for a candidate like Trump and calling for laws against the Gulf states, starting with Saudi Arabia.

The US election is a lesson for Arabs to learn how they should choose a candidate by exercising democracy, whether for the municipal council, national assembly or the shura council. We have to realize that a tick mark draws the future and this is the value and beauty of democracy.

By Muna Al-Fuzai

[email protected]