Democracy Mid East Style

The Christian Science Monitor reports that the "Arab Spring" or Kifaya (Enough) Movement may be supported by the administration but it has an anti-American streak in it. This should come as no surprise since groups that could benefit from free elections would include Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and Hezbollah. That being said it is better to bring these groups above ground and give them a stake in their governments as long as they forsake violent means to exert their power. Nothing encourages radicalism more than oppressive regimes allow them to govern and it should force them to act somewhat responsibly.

Robin Wright reports in the WaPost that despite the promise of free and fair elections Syria is doing everything it can to maintain control of Lebanon. The Syrians are removing all visible vestiges of authority but are surreptitiously asserting themselves. According to Wright another obstacle facing the Lebanese is their countrymen. After three decades under the Syrian thumb it may be difficult to shake off dependence on Syria. The good news is that US and EU are keeping the pressure on Assad. By the way kudos to the Christian community in Lebanon which has taken a page from the Shia playbook in Iraq. Despite bombings in their community obviously set off by Syrian agents or proxies they have not taken the bait.

In Iraq the US is staying out of it. Despite requests for guidance the US is doing little to intervene in the squabbles that have plagued the Iraq's National Assembly.