Rami Khouri: slow down a bit. Cyprus is the only democracy in the Middle East. "But when Israel - the only democracy in the Middle East, America's eternal ally, and the bastion of the epic modern struggle against fascism, totalitarianism, Nazism, communism and terrorism..." And when did Israel struggle against fascism and totalitarianism? In fact, Israel has had the best of relations with some of the most horrific regimes of the post-WWII regimes. And Israel had the best of ties withh one of the worst communist regimes--that of Romania. (thanks Kifah)