Lack of a coherent Middle East policy

As the drumbeat for war with Iran becomes louder by the day, it seems prudent to assess George Bush's self described vision to bring democracy to the troubled Middle East. Perhaps tunnel vision would more aptly describe Mr. Bush's lack of clarity. He has yet to articulate a clear objective that would define success in Iraq, preferring a policy of containment that omits muscular diplomacy. How will we know when victory has been achieved and our troops can return home to their families?

Oh, and by the way, what about our ally Saudi Arabia? You know, that repressive medieval monarchy that produced 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers and still practices beheadings? I read where a Saudi court recently sentenced a 19-year-old woman to 200 lashes and six months in jail for allowing herself to be gang-raped. Should Iraq's fractured government seek to emulate Saudi Arabia as it struggles to form a cohesive governing body?

How about Pakistan? Another U.S. ally that has nuclear weapons on its soil. President Musharraf dismissed nearly all of the judges on Pakistan's Supreme Court when he imposed marshal law on Nov. 3, replacing them with Musharraf loyalists. He also suspended the constitution, imposed severe media restrictions, and quashed all opposition protests. His hand-picked supreme court recently ruled in his favor, setting the stage for continued dictatorial rule. Should Iraq look toward Pakistan as it attempts to form a representative democracy?

Just exactly what is our Middle East policy?

Greg Newlin

Naperville