Democracy domino plan won't work: secret State Dept. report
'Even if some version of democracy took root - which the report casts as unlikely - anti-American sentiment is so pervasive, it says, that elections in the short term could lead to the rise of Islamic-controlled governments hostile to the US.'

'"Electoral democracy, were it to emerge, could well be subject to exploitation by anti-American elements." The thrust of the document, the official said, "is that this idea that you're going to transform the Middle East and fundamentally alter its trajectory is not credible". Even the document's title - "Iraq, the Middle East and Change: No Dominoes" - appears to dismiss the Administration argument.'

Democracy domino plan won't work: secret State Dept. report
'Even if some version of democracy took root - which the report casts as unlikely - anti-American sentiment is so pervasive, it says, that elections in the short term could lead to the rise of Islamic-controlled governments hostile to the US.'

'"Electoral democracy, were it to emerge, could well be subject to exploitation by anti-American elements." The thrust of the document, the official said, "is that this idea that you're going to transform the Middle East and fundamentally alter its trajectory is not credible". Even the document's title - "Iraq, the Middle East and Change: No Dominoes" - appears to dismiss the Administration argument.'