Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : American Presidential Politics and foreign affairs -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (11589)	9/2/2006 12:55:51 PM
From: Jim S	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 71588

"What will a beacon of freedom in the Middle East do to change the entire Middle Eastern landscape?" Assuming Iraq actually has the capability to become a "beacon of freedom" (it would be nice, but I question the possibility), I'd think that rather than becoming a model to be emulated, it would become instead a threat to all the other regimes in the region. I very much doubt, for example, that the royal families in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, or even Kuwait would like to see democracy succeed in Iraq. I also question if Western countries would like to see democracy in those places succeed, given the mindset of the Islamic fundamentalist majorities, especially in Saudi Arabia. This is not to say the democratization of Iraq shouldn't continue, only that if it does become a "beacon," it will lead to even more regional strife and turmoil.