https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2013/01/25/the-mirage-of-the-arab-spring/feed/HotAir is the leading conservative blog for breaking news and commentary covering the Biden administration, politics, media, culture, and current elections.en-usTue, 09 Jun 2026 11:27:54 -0400<![CDATA[Washington should not base its policy toward the greater Middle East on the assumption that the region is democratizing quickly or sustainably. The United States and other Western countries should encourage liberal reforms, support civil society, and provide technical assistance in improving countries&#8217; constitutions and financial systems. But the perceived promise of the Arab uprisings should not cause the United States to overlook its main strategic priorities in the region. Like it or not, the United States counts among its allies a number of authoritarian Arab countries, and they are essential partners in protecting its interests. The normative hope that liberal democracy may flourish in the future must be balanced by the need to work with governments and societies as they exist today.]]>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:40:07 -0500<![CDATA[Allahpundit]]>https://hotair.com/headlines/2013/01/25/the-mirage-of-the-arab-spring-n99576