Spreading democracy as a goal of American foreign policy is not new, especially as a reflection of American values. Even in the Middle East, the administration of George H. W. Bush pushed for democratic reform as a priority following the end of the cold war in 1989 and was instrumental in promoting elections in Jordan and elsewhere. During the first few months of the Clinton administration, Secretary of State Warren Christopher spoke of democracy and reform and even raised the issue with Arab leaders.
What happened in both cases was telling. Not only did Islamists do well in the elections in Jordan and Algeria, but those countries that reformed and thus became sensitiv...
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