What If....

What if a move to more representative, even democratic, government in Muslim countries leads to more radical anti-Western policies? What if the men on the Arab street are more radical than their former autocratic rulers?

What if Middle Eastern countries were more likely to gradually move toward liberalization and human rights if the government did not reflect the wishes of the people? What if women's and minority rights deteriorate when the people choose the decision makers?

What if it turns out that American Secretaries of State and Presidents were right to deal with autocrats and kings, and even help them stay in power? What if we have wished for popularly elected governments for the region, are getting our wishes, and they turn out to be worse, more anti-American?

It certainly appears now that some of these "what ifs" will turn out to be true.