Un-American

US lawmakers’ rejection of the Dubai ports deal stems from prejudice more than concerns about national security. Such attitudes are dangerous at a time when US needs all the friends in the Muslim world that it can get. Instead of rejecting the Dubai deal, the US could embrace the opportunity to work with a company run by educated and talented Muslim professionals who strive to overturn stereotypes about the Middle East. Since 9/11, Dubai has worked with the US on improving global security, from more rigorously screening shipping containers to improving banking practices. Mansoor Ijaz, who is chairman of an equity firm that funds security technology, notes that the protests could result in delay and renegotiation: For example, the US could collaborate with Dubai on innovative security technology and also restructure the deal to give more policy control to the US while addressing concerns about a company, owned by a foreign government, controlling US ports. At any rate, the irrational alarm over management of US ports has focused new attention on a vital area of global transportation. – YaleGlobal