The era of U.S.-approved, iron-fisted Arab dictators is over. Washington must get used to a Middle East in which public opinion matters to a much greater extent, anti-Western sentiment abounds and political Islam emerges as a major force.
The outcome in Afghanistan won't resemble the vision of America and its allies, who wanted a strong, Western-aligned central government keeping the Taliban at bay. The goals should now be less ambitious.
One fact is certain: foreign interventions end badly. Think the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan. Libya will be no different.
Iraq is not yesterday’s war. If Obama withdraws too quickly, the tenuous peace will collapse.
One must wonder why, with the end of the cold war, NATO did not dissolve. How do we explain the organization's transformation and vitality at the end of the twentieth century?
America and the Continent may find themselves once again a united force to be reckoned with by the rest of the world. But the odds are grim.
Nation-building always looks so easy on paper. Time to let reality be a harsh teacher.
America shouldn't forget that the other half of regime change is building a new regime.
Ten simple rules from our experience in Afghanistan.
Since November of last year the United States has been committed to transferring sovereignty to the Iraqis after June 30, 2004.
