Democratization in the Arab World?

Much has been achieved both in the war against the Taliban and in the larger struggle to create a democratic Afghanistan, but dire problems remain.

Strategies based on transition pacts that reduce rulers' risks and cushion their retreat from total power may be the most promising route to democracy in the Arab world.

Even after its successful elections, Iraq remains a divided society. Democracy did not create these divisions, but it could be the key to managing them.