Democracy in the Middle East

There is plenty to worry about regarding the War on Terror, however progress is being made.

See The Belmont Club and Richard Fernandez Monday, February 13, 2006 commentary: “Al-Qaeda continues its attempts to export terrorism outside the region, direct to America, Europe and other parts of the world. But unlike Hezbollah which could claim it had driven Israel from Lebanon, Zarqawi has little to show for his vaunted insurgency except a lot of videos of beheaded women and Asian contract workers. His Sunnis voted to join an American-sponsored government. And now, despite the odd bomb, his insurgency is old news.”

Also in his “The week in review”, he quotes Winds of Change “Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam is certain the current regime in Damascus will collapse and Syria will see a move to democracy this year. On Saturday the regime reshuffled their cabinet.”

Many are concerned about the Hamas wins majority in Palestinian parliament, but I see an very unusual event in the Middle East. That is a democratic peaceful transfer of government authority. Very unusual and very hopeful. Perhaps an example to others. President George W. Bush’s strategy is that all this will help safeguard the national security of the United States as the Middle East moves towards accountable democratically elected governments.