Iran

Much news about Iran lately. Elections, riots, etc. Dire predictions about how that regime has ruined forevermore its legitimacy in the eyes of its populace. Much criticism of the President for NOT making stronger statements.

No country can sustain a democracy whose citizens are not driven to demand it, even at the risk of death.

Should Obama encourage the protesters too much, then he would probably get a bunch of them killed and legitimize, in the eyes of the Iranian people, the claims of interference made by the Iranian government. Moreover, unless the U.S. is willing to put troops on the ground to protect these rioters and to create a democracy (and we all know how well that worked in Iraq), we would be simply setting up those most able to drive the change we would prefer for failure and execution. If Iran is to succeed in becoming a democracy, it must do so through the will, blood, sweat, and tears of its own people. Otherwise, I don't see how that democracy can be sustained once we pull our troops out.

So far, I think Obama's approach is a wise one.