[Clive]

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[FocusNexus]

“But the bomb is ticking. Literally. Iran may wish to have the Muslim bomb, but Pakistan already has it. The question is: Is this the ideal classroom for Democracy 101? I wonder if the late Shah of Iran ever appears in Musharraf’s dreams.”

Exactly. Our naivity may be very costly, not just to Pakistan, but to us.

Also — you post interesting articles. Could you please put me on your ping list. Thanks.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I wonder if the late Shah of Iran ever appears in Musharraf's dreams.

Or Jimmy Carter, with George Bush's face.

[kjam22]

The best medicine for Pakistan is killing all the war lords and Al Queda sympathizers in the North East part of the country.

[Kozak]

I don’t think Canada is ready for democracy either.

[Pietro]

I love articles that tell us we must support the autocrats because the country they rule is too backward for democracy. These are the same savants that condemn us for supporting autocrats when they do something truly repressive such as shut down a newspaper.

Having your cake and eating it too is easy when none of your words carry consequences.

We're in a war. People die in a war. Get acclimated to that reality and lets get on w/ it. Don't navel gaze yourself into sophist nothings.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

There were persuasive arguments that democracy couldn’t work in Japan after WWII. So what was done that resulted in Japan becoming a model of democracy?

MacArthur ruled Japan as an autocrat, but with democracy in mind. It was clear to the Japanese that they had to act to make their nation a democracy, or they would remain under military rule. And those who rejected the concept were permitted no part in any powerful segment of that society.

Democracy in Japan meant everywhere. From the small assembly of people to the national government, everything had to be decided with voting, and with respect to democracy. No leaders were permitted who were not democrats.

To decry democracy was not just anti-social, it was a crime, equivalent to calling for the overthrow of the government.

Now compare this to Pakistan. Right now, nobody rules over all of Pakistan. It is a nation of enclaves. Until it is unified, there can be no real government, much less democracy.

For years, working with Musharaff, the US has tried to strengthen his power, and the power of his military, with this in mind. Because until it comes about, there can be no rule, even autocracy, in Pakistan. Chaos will defeat order.