[LarryLied]

Looks like CNN might be doing some work for the State Department.

Good observation. Hadn't occurred to me CNN would ever help our side. But then we have a Texan in the White House. They can be very persuasive. Thanks for the information, aside from a few names, I'm unfamiliar with this area.

[Shermy]

Thanks. I remember in the late 70's or 80's Time Magazine would do these sort of things. One comes to mind, one or two big articles on Sultan Qaboos (?) of Oman, with full-page pictures, stories, etc., saying what a friend he is of America. Made him feel like a big shot. Which Oman is, since they are the one Arab country allowing us to use their bases for troops and air support--a fact little emphasized. For most you hear, all our planes are coming off CVs in the Arabian Sea. Wonder how many of our planes coming in from Uzbekistan too.