Abu Aardvark makes the case for engaging the newly-elected Hamas government:
For America, I think it’s extremely important right now to handle this right: honor the will of the people, demonstrate a commitment to democratic process, and see what happens. Give Hamas the chance to prove its intentions. Don’t get too upset about the inevitable bursts of objectionable rhetoric by excited victors – test deeds, not early words. Above alll, don’t give the Islamist hardliners the winning argument they crave about American hypocrisy. Refusing to deal with Hamas right now could effectively kill American attempts to promote democracy in the Middle East for a generation.
I think this is prudent advice and should be taken seriously but I also don’t think the situation is cut and dried. Is an incompetent dishonest bunch of terrorists being defeated at the polls by an honest bunch of terrorists under the conditions in Gaza and the West Bank an example of the democratic process at work?
To the extent that the Father of Aardvarks is recommending that we wait and see I think it’s advice we should take.
UPDATE: Marc Schulman of American Future has an extensive round-up of media commentary on the election.
