I had to register to see the Spectator article. And since I was there read the "No such thing as a free Muslim" article also. I think they point out one aspect of Blair's position in regards to the Iraq war- that important aspect brit foreign policy has been to always remain an close ally to US. In the article they said this differently but this is essentially the same thing. But I think another importance aspect that they are missing is that fact that America traditionally has been liberal. We want to change the world. We want to make all the countries in the world into democracies. So in that aspect there is a bridge between Blair and Bush. I think the idea that democracy is not compatable with a muslim culture is simply wrong. But it's also wrong to think that democracy can be realized within a short time period. I believe that humankind generally does not encourage the formation of democracies, and I believe, we [meaning the world] got "lucky" with America. With America and particularly with America as the sole superpower, we can have enough influence to make it possible to have democraies growing stronger throughout the world- and it's that "hope" which is behind forming the UN in the first place. This is the only hope for world peace. And this is the only hope for humankind to reach the stars.