Neoconservatives lay low, hope for Iraqi democracy [View All]

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21459103.htm

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) - The neoconservative architects of the U.S. invasion of Iraq are anxiously watching events there, aware that failure could prevent the United States from aggressively confronting other states such as Iran, analysts said on Monday.

The so-called neoconservatives argue that U.S. interests and values are best pursued, especially in the Middle East, through "regime change" in certain countries and the establishment of pro-U.S. democracies in their stead.

Several analysts said one clear way of gauging the influence of the neoconservatives will be by watching U.S. policy toward Iran. At the moment, Washington is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency to try to control Tehran's nuclear program and bring it under effective outside monitoring.

"If the neoconservatives have their way, you will see more confrontation (with Iran) and the United States backing away from a willingness to work through international organizations," said Jonathan Clarke of the conservative Cato Institute, co-author of a recent book on the neoconservative movement.

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