Tempering Mideast expectationsRobert Charles, a former assistant secretary of state, offers some thoughts on prospects for democratic change in the Middle East in this Washington Times op-ed. He suggests that the U.S. should have patience and expect a very gradual process rather than quick change.
U.S. Promotes DemocracyIn a speech to the American Society of Newspaper Editors on April 15th, Secretary of State Rice said the United States is working with democratic allies to promote democracy. She cited recent developments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Georgia, Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan and the Palestinian territories as evidence of progress. Her comments (
State transcript here) generated consternation in Arab media when she said, "I feel very strongly that if we do our work well over the next several years, we will at least have laid a very strong foundation for a very different kind of Middle East." In promoting democracy, should the U.S. seek to promote American style democracy, or strive to balance local traditions and cultures with those elements of democracy we most value? Is democracy (as we think of it) even possible in the Middle East?
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman considers this question in this op-ed
Rooting for the Good Guys.
