While I agree with what Mr. Rae is trying to say, I think that he is being a tad dishonest when he calls for the need to have "more consequences for regimes unwilling to change".

If we look at the cases of both Libya and Egypt, Western countries turned a blind eye to the authorities perpetuated by the autocrats for decades now. By and large, we were fine with the horrendous treatment of citizens provided that there was benefits to our Western economies. As an example, look to the amount of oil that the EU receives from Libya, and how much crude reaches us on tankers through the Suez canal.

So, moving forward, I think that it is important that we as western societies adopt a philosophy of democracy over stability and work to introduce SOME consequences for regimes unwilling to change.

'The promotion of human rights and democracy needs some edge and some muscle.?'

No, that's what we've been doing all along, and it's produced quagmires like Iraq and Afghanistan

'democracy can never be seen as a foreign import?'

No, it can't. People have to choose democracy, it can't be forced on them or they'll reject it.

The only thing we can do is provide an example…and we've done very badly in that regard….offer to help a democracy wherever it emerges….and accept we might not like what they choose….and keep the RTP available if it's needed. Preferably one by neighbouring countries.

. "It is not easy to craft such a strategy, because democracy can never be seen as a foreign import, but the reality of real engagement by a courageous people can’t be met with only goodwill, let alone indifference".

Rae is making an important point here; one that hose who prefer this form of democratization for the ME over the neo-cons pie eyed idealism should parse carefully.
The fruits of democracy wont magically appear on the trees like figs in there time for the plucking.[ remember Rumsfields loony assertion that they'll line the streets with flowers for us?] Don't make the same mistake. Someone has to make it happen Agreed it should be an organic Egyptian impluse. But the west does have tools to help it along the way[ NDI??] We used to have some too…i beieve it was known as Rights and Democracy in the days of its former glory.

I'm afraid tht the "muscle" part has been the problem – it needs arming and weapons etc – and if we keep creating those then war has to continue – the arms manufacturers see to that!! It would be nice to see a lot more assistance to struggling countries in the form of education, good governance techniques, economic development and the like. Canada is good at that and could really help if we are asked to do so. Unfortunately Mr. H. seems to be cutting funding to agencies involved in these activities – Kairos, CESO and likely a whole lot of others. Not sure that purchasing jets from the American war machine is helpful to places where poverty is rampant.