Free Republic

Shaking Up the Neighbors By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN AMMAN, Jordan — Shortly after the 25-member Governing Council was appointed in Iraq, the head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, questioned the U.S.-appointed Council's legitimacy. "If this Council was elected," complained Mr. Moussa, "it would have gained much power and credibility." I love that quote. I love it, first of all, for its bold, gutsy, shameless, world-class hypocrisy. Mr. Moussa presides over an Arab League in which not one of the 22 member states has a leader elected in a free and fair election. On top of it, before the war,...

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration outlined a program Thursday to help modernize Arab society, offering an initial contribution of $29 million and pledging to seek more from Congress and rich Arab countries. In the process, the administration hopes to deflect radicalism and combat illiteracy and poverty through scholarships and economic development. "We are adding hope to the U.S.-Middle East agenda. We are pledging our energy, our abilities and our idealism to bring hope to all God's children who call the Middle East home," Secretary of State Colin Powell said. "Hope begins with a paycheck," he said. "And that requires a...