Bahrain is a classic case, as is Saudi Arabia and, for that matter, Egypt: calls for the United States and other countries with interests and influence in the region to stand up for democracy and human rights run up against concerns that national-security interests will suffer if pro-Western authoritarian regimes are ousted. European and US policymakers often attempt to square the circle with a compromise policy that is inconsistent and satisfies no one.
发自纽约——大多数关于在中东地区如何作为的辩论都倾向于变成现实主义者与理想主义者之争。巴林就是个经典例子，正如沙特以及——在这一点上说——埃及那样：一方面呼吁美国和其他该区域有利益关系和影响力的国家为民主人权挺身而出，另一方面则担心如果这些亲西方政权倒台可能会影响国家安全利益。欧洲和美国的政策制定者们经常妄想能够推行一种折衷的政策，但这类政策往往难以持续且两头不讨好。