Comments on: More from Ariel Cohen on Uzbekistan

By: Mark Hamm

Mark Hamm — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 03:57:15 +0000

WHile it might be a stretch from ‘implied conclusion’ to the stated bottom line, it is interesting to hear it stated that Bush accepts the risk of democratic movements by unsympathetic groups. Of course the proof will be in the pudding.

By: jonathan p

jonathan p — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 20:31:56 +0000

Lawrence, you amaze me.

The “bottom line” is that Bush wants Karimov out? Yeah, right. Karimov is so peripheral to Bush’s bottom line it’s not even funny.
Bush is siding with Islamists? Hilarious.

There are so few “Islamists” in Uzbekistan, it’s ridiculous. If they’re such a threat, where are they in Kyrgyzstan? The fact is that if Bush is really to the point where he is ready to apply pressure toward ousting Karimov (which I still highly doubt), it is only because his advisors have told him that Islamists would not have the support they need to successfully gain control in Uz.

By: Tim Russo

Tim Russo — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 14:16:51 +0000

The interesting thing here, Nathan, is that you may recall, Zelikow was the staff director of the 9/11 commission. If anyone knows how the democracy doctrine can affect the war on terror, it’s Zelikow.

And if Zelikow is arguing that Bush should take a risk in Uzbekistan, he probably discounts the notion that “the Islamists” are the likely beneificiary.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 14:06:14 +0000

The US State Department has decided to side with Islamists.

Come on.