Kober: Good Relationships - Bad Governments

From Philly.com - By Stanley Kober - The revolutionary movement sweeping the Middle East has raised the question of whether the United States has favored stability over democracy. It's an easy accusation in light of past U.S. support of presidents who stay in power for decades and kings who rule in perpetuity. But it's a little too easy. The United States recognizes other countries not as an act of approbation, but simply to maintain contact with their governments. To be sure, some governments are so odious that the United States doesn't maintain diplomatic relations with them - Iran and North Korea, for example. But that policy has its drawbacks. The absence of a U.S. embassy in those countries means we give up the insights that could be provided by diplomats who report on political, economic, and other events. Many of America's allies maintain diplomatic relations with Iran and North Korea for that reason. These allies are looking at diplomatic recognition not as a reward for those regimes, but simply an acknowledgment that they are in power. If a certain group of people controls a territory, then they are the people you have to deal with, even if you find them reprehensible. Read more News New Mexico

Kober: Good Relationships - Bad Governments