The Boston Globe is doing a well-written and revealing series on the
\n difficulties of installing Western-style democracy among moderate Muslims,
\n and the contradictions in the US policy of supporting free elections.
\n Today was the final installment, titled "Western Style Democracy Prove
\n to be a Tough Sell.".<\/p>\n
\n
”At the end of the day, we don’t know what to do" about the
\n contradiction between Bush’s professed intention to spread democracy
\n and the US national
\n interest in having allies that provide air rights and logistical support
\n for US forces in the region, says a senior US official with extensive
\n experience in the region. ”If the [Bush] program succeeds, a Hosni
\n Mubarak can’t be leader of Egypt. He could not win a truly free election.
\n The
\n Saudi kingdom can’t be the Saudi kingdom. There might be a king, but
\n he would be like the king of England, a constitutional monarch."<\/p>\nPresident Bush’s proposal to combat Islamic extremism by promoting
\n democracy and development is positive, says Osama El Baz, Mubarak’s
\n chief adviser
\n and a leading moderate in the region. ”But it came across sounding
\n like American designs that would be rammed down the throats of decadent,
\n backward
\n Muslims — one size fits all. You cannot win the war against extremism
\n only, or even mainly, by force. The war should be fought in the minds
\n of people, through education, sermons, the press, literature."<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nfrom the Boston Globe<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Boston Globe is doing a well-written and revealing series on the difficulties of installing Western-style democracy among moderate Muslims, and the contradictions in the US policy of supporting free elections. Today was the final installment, titled "Western Style Democracy … Continue reading