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USA Needs to re-think Mid-East Policies

"The victory of Hamas in the Palestinian elections ought to lead to a fundamental rethinking of U.S. strategy in the Middle East, especially since it follows electoral successes for Islamist parties in Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The most important lesson of the elections is that the United States cannot afford to use the rhetoric of spreading democracy as an excuse for avoiding dealing with pressing national grievances and wishes. If the United States pursues or supports policies that are detested by a majority of ordinary people, then these people will react accordingly if they are given a chance to vote".

As debate continues about the win by Hamas [interestingly an off-shoot of the Muslim Brotherhood - who did well recently in the Egyptian elections] in the Palestinian elections the other day, this morning comes news that Condi Rice says that she and her Department were taken by surprise by the result. That's quite an admission! - that the US is far from "tuned in" to what is happening "on the ground". One has to wonder how ignorant the State Department is about a raft of other issues around the globe.

The Americans will undoubtedly have to re-evaluate their policies, and thinking generally, in relation to the Middle East. The above quote from an opinion-piece in the IHT puts it succinctly. Read the whole opinion-piece here.

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