This is strange, I’ve noticed people whine on about how governments in areas which have never experienced democracy should have some sort of representative government, and when it happens, complain about its abuses. One thing they should learn is that democracy is progressive and only comes about after either much hardship or economic success and growth. Why not just support a dictatorship, invest in its economy and wait a generation or two for it to turn into a semi-democratic state. It may not of been the best way to do so in the short term, but long term wise its a sound investment.
For the Islamic world, because of its fervent Islamism and rabid extremism, why not just support them and allow them to gain power in areas where there is no viable alternative, for instance Afghanistan the majority of people are illiterate and live in rural areas, and are deeply religious.
Here is an Idea <I know the Taliban are gone in a sense but hear me out>
Instead of us declaring war on them and spending countless billions fighting a war, why not approach this type of government and completely invest and rebuild its infrastructure, yes we may not agree with their type of government, but the Taliban are not stupid, they would grant many concession for the West in its effort to defeat ‘terrorism’ so, in the process of rebuilding afghanistan for the Taliban, and bringing about relative prosperity and them bringing about stability and security, we create a social class which would forment a movement to bring about more enlightened and democratic reforms to the society. It may take along time, generations, but in the long term this is desired as it reduces the risk of more terrorists being created and destroying what credibility OBL and his crew have in saying it is a ‘war on Islam’ we also have a state which is dependent on investment and good economic growth to be legitimate in the eyes of its supporters.
In major Oil producing areas, its understandable for the US to support regimes unpopular with its populace, in its effort to remain the major player and keep the World economy from being hijacked, but in areas like Afghanistan or Iran we should approach differently, and make sure the Mullahs and ‘Spiritual leaders’ have no or a completely reduced moral legitimacy for their repression.
Thoughts and Ideas welcome.