Oh the times are indeed a changing...

Some good points made in this article. Perhaps most importantly that the US not be made a tool in the never ending Sunni-Shiite divide.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/...erous-reaction

Some good points here as well:
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/...-for-dictators

This last line from the second article is important, and with Sen Kerry as a likely replacement to Clinton as Sec State, this may also be a window into future focus:

"Influence in the region must come through new means, and actions matter. It is time for the US to create allies amongst citizens who increasingly pressure governments, and enhance authority by being the global power that consistently supports the rights of local citizens. Being on the wrong side of values that our country was built upon is not only hypocritical policy, but makes us less secure."