More on optimism in Afghanistan and Iraq, this time from Amir Taheri writing in asharq alawsat. The article is about a poll showing more hopeful attitudes in the Middle East than in Europe and America:
The latest argument for a reassessment of the situation in post-liberation Iraq comes from the WEF's latest "Voice of the People" poll, conducted by Gallup last November and December in 60 countries across the globe...Read the whole thing. (Thanks: WS.)
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The... reason for the good figures from the Middle East is the optimism that the pollsters found in two countries: Afghanistan and Iraq.The WEF report asserts, "In both these countries, respondents were even more optimistic about future prospects. In Afghanistan, three-quarters (77%) think the next generation will live in a safer world, while in Iraq this view is held by six in every ten (61%) interviewed."
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To prove that the toppling of Saddam was wrong the politically correct crowd has prayed hard for Iraq to become "another Vietnam" or, fa[i]ling that, at least "a quagmire", or failing even that, a stage for ["]Yankee Go Home" demonstrations.None of that has happened. Instead, the Iraqis have been forming political parties, writing a constitution, setting up an independent judiciary, learning about pluralist politics, creating privately owned newspapers and TV and radio stations, and holding elections - all that while the most vicious terrorists in recent history have been throwing at them whatever they could.