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Middle-East Democracy: It Ain't Happening!

"Steps toward democracy in the Arab world, a crucial American goal that just months ago was cause for optimism - with elections held in Iraq, Egypt and the Palestinian areas - are slowing, blocked by delays in reform efforts, legal maneuvers and official changes of heart throughout the Middle East.

The political rise of Islamists, the chaos in Iraq along with the newfound Shiite power there with its implication for growing Iranian influence, and the sense among some rulers that they can wait out the end of the Bush administration have put the brakes on democratization, analysts and officials say."

This round-up, as it were - in the IHT - of how the US has fared in spreading democracy and democratic principles in the Middle East does not make for happy reading.

Read the full article [here] and reflect on all those speeches by George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard of how one outcome of the Iraq War will be to spread democracy in the Middle East. Doesn't look like it......

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