Freedom is on the march!!

[tjwash]

Advance of democracy slows across Middle East

By Hassan M. Fattah
NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

April 10, 2006

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Steps toward democracy in the Arab world, a crucial U.S. goal that just months ago was cause for optimism – with elections in Iraq, Egypt and the Palestinian territories – are slowing, blocked by delays in reform efforts, legal maneuvers and official changes of heart throughout the Middle East.

Analysts and officials say the political rise of Islamists, the chaos in Iraq, the newfound Shiite power in Iraq with its implication for growing Iranian influence, and the sense among some rulers that they can wait out the end of the Bush administration have put the brakes on democratization.

“It feels like everything is going back to the bad old days, as if we never went through any changes at all,” said Sulaiman al-Hattlan, editor in chief of Forbes Arabia and a prominent Saudi columnist and reformist. “Everyone is convinced now that there was no serious or genuine belief in change from the governments. It was just a reaction to pressure by the international media and the U.S.”

Full story here in the San Diego U-T

Damn liberal media, not reporting the good things happenning in the middle east. Why can't they all be like Fox News, or MSNBS? :eyes:

[tjwash]

1. Maybe with a snappier title...