ISLAMABAD -- U.S. President George W. Bush has repeatedly spoken of creating an environment of political freedom for the people of Iraq, where at least one generation, if not two, has grown up under the shadow of President Saddam Hussein. But there are a number of unanswered questions influencing Iraq's political future. For one, will Hussein's exit mark the necessary first step toward creating the space for a new political order that is driven by Washington?
The conduct of the war over worldwide opposition has created a gap between the results of military progress and the prospects for political growth.
It's not surprising that, across the Islamic world, protesters have accused the United States of applying double standards: The Bush administration wants Iraq to move toward a representative democracy, yet turns a blind eye to reckless and repeated Israeli attacks on the right of self-determination for Palestinians.