Obama faces hurdles in aiding Arab Spring countries

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

In his U.N. speech this week, President Obama vowed to support the democratic transitions in the Arab world with greater trade and investment, “so that freedom is followed by opportunity.” But his effort to back up that promise has run into hurdles in Washington and the Middle East.

Congress still hasn’t passed two programs Obama announced in May to help the emerging Arab democracies: economic development funds and a $1 billion debt relief package for Egypt. While they got partial approval from a key Senate committee this week, the plans have gotten a cool reception in the House.

The lawmakers’ reluctance contrasts sharply with the eagerness with which Congress extended economic aid to Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

With all the strains on the U.S. budget, few expected a Marshall Plan for the countries emerging from the political tumult known as the Arab Spring. But critics say the U.S. response to the revolutions has been too tepid.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-faces-hurdles-in-aiding-arab-spring-countries/2011/09/22/gIQAEqcOuK_singlePage.html

[razorman]

1. It's cute how they think these revolutions are leading to democracy.

[pampango]

2. They know these revolutions are not leading AWAY FROM democracy anyway.

What they are leading TO remains to be seen. It's at least possible that they will end in democracies like that in Turkey.