Since there is so much more issues to talk about, ISO, allow me to refrain from rebuttal on most of the above. We both had our respective says, and want to avoid debating in circles. Just a quick note on Lebanon, though -- something that I feel can be a new adition to our debate: Lebanese civil war was NOT a result of failure of democracy in that country. The democratic system in Lebanon, albeit with some problems, by and large was very INCLUSIVE and BALANCED, and took into account the rights of minorities in it's constitution. It was the external affairs that gave rise to reasons for civil war in Lebanon. To begin with, it got embroiled in the larger conflictual picture of the Middle East, vis-a-vis Israel, and it was exasperated by Syria's involvement. Other than that, prior to the start of the civil war, Lebanon was the most prosperous Arab country with thriving democracy. It sure has tremendous difficulties now -- obviously after over a decade of brutal civil war -- but is quickly regaining grounds on prosperity track. On Jordan and other dictatorial countries where you claim they have had relative peace: What good is a rich (relatively) man in a facade of peace if he cannot be creative, and think freely and critically? this latter aspect of human condition can ONLY be guaranteed in democracy. I loathe the idea of citizens being treated as docile and peaceful domestic animals, who are supposed to be content with their "master's" allowance of their basic, fundamental rights. Now, on to other issues in the following post...