[goldstategop]

What's the problem with unrealism in US Middle East foreign policy? Its refusing to recognizing dictatorships are popular with the Arab masses. As long as the dictatorship panders to the Arab masses's thirst populism and extremist demagoguery, it stays in power. There is no tradition of civil society, pluralism, individual conscience, respect for minority rights and the rule of law anywhere in the Muslim Middle East. So what good are free elections if people vote themselves another kind of dictator? This question is never answered by those defending current Obama Administration policy towards the region. And the hopes of the Arab Spring have now given way to the chill of the Islamist Arab Winter.

[gleeaikin]

Yesterday I listened to intense discussion/debate at Congress with the Administration regarding the nuclear Iran problem. Everyone agreed it is very serious and the American people are underconcerned about it. The discussion was especially about application and effect of sanctions from US and Europe, and problems with getting Chinese and other cooperations from people who don’t like us much. Much talk about monetary measures and boycotts.

[Talisker]

The Middle East Policy Twilight Zone (Barry Rubin On US ME Policy Unrealism Alert)