i'm really encouraged by the image of afghan women standing up for themselves and embracing the tools of democracy. it's that kind of development that's going to bring about democracy in the middle east, not military action. the people can figure it out for themselves, we just have to help provide a climate where that's possible. there have been too many times in the past where the west has destroyed the potential for democratic movements in iran, iraq, syria, and other middle eastern nations and encouraged the spread of radicalism. there are too many cases now where we help stifle democracy, as in egypt, where billions of our tax dollars go to help mubarak gun down protesters in the streets of cairo, or palestine, where billions go to allow israeli soldiers beat peaceful protesters. if these obstacles were removed, i am highly confident that muslims all over the world would find their way to democracy. look at indonesia and turkey. all that is needed is the absence of obstructions and a belief that democracy can work. in time, the people will reject radical versions of islam as wrong and destructive - we just need to show that democracy can work for them instead of oppressing them for american interests.