President Bush made “the spread of democracy” his Administrations’ primary mission. But soaring rhetoric has often clashed with geopolitical reality and competing U.S. priorities.
Beyond its focus on Iraq, Washington has stepped up pressure on repressive regimes in countries such as Belarus, Burma and Zimbabwe -- where the costs of a confrontation are minimal -- while still gingerly dealing with China, Pakistan, Russia and other countries with strategic and trade significance.
In the Middle East, where the US administration has centered its attention, it promoted elections in the Palestinian territories, even as it directed money aimed at clandestinely preventing the radical Islamic group Hamas from winning. [Regardless, Hamas won, snatching power from the ruling old guard Fatah, taking a 76 seat majority in the 132-seat Palestinian Legislative Council.]
And although it has now suspended trade negotiations with Egypt, it did not publicly announce the move, nor has it cut the traditionally generous U.S. aid to Cairo.
[Washington Post]
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