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Yeah, there will always be this tension. But the trouble is that supporting autocratic governments in Saudi and Egypt has helped forment the threat. The only spaces anyone could go in those countries to discuss a different form of politics under those repressive regimes, (whose place in power is ultimately guaranteed by the US), are the mosques. And we wonder why they hate the US..

If I were a Saudi I wouldn't like my government very much. I also wouldn't like the US very much as they are the ultimate guarantor of the Saudi Royal Families' position.

Is this the "morally responsible realism" Hyde is advocating?

On 9/11 15 of the hijackers were Saudi. Most of the rest, if not all, were Egyptian. Not Palestinian, Iranian or Afghan, but nationals from countries that are ostensibly strong US allies.

"For decades, American policy sought to achieve peace in the Middle East by promoting stability in the Middle East, yet these policies gave us neither." - Bush

"The spread of freedom is the best security for the free. It is our last line of defense and our first line of attack." - Blair

I understand why the US is scared Islamic groups could come into power. There ain't much alternative at the moment. But, for instance, let's look at the Egyptian presidential election of 2005 - the first allegedly contested presidential election in Egypt's history, but it was completely boycotted by the major opposition parties, saying it was unlikely to be free or fair, and that the election regulations severely restricted independent candidates and overwhelmingly favoured Mubarak.

The "election" resulted in Mubarak winning 78% - 80% of the "vote".

The US largely praised the vote and the result! Bush complains about Chavez, but you tell me the difference, outside of US "interests" which I don't reckon are furthered by backing a rigged election for an autocrat who spends his nation's school budgets on books that call Jews pigs, and goes begging for money to the US Congress so that he keeps a peace deal with Tel Aviv..

Don't give up because Hamas has been elected. What other choice is there apart from Fatah? The corruption of the secular nationalists is seen in stark contrast with the piety of the religious groups.

The only antidote to this are open societies. British muslims have been radicalised through lunatic preachers who advocate sharia law in the UK and a war on Muslims. Is this any reason to turn our back on the legitimate claims of freedom? Be very careful.