The heartening spectacle of millions of Iraqis defying violence to go to the ballot box recalls similar scenes in Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. Voters in these places have disproved the cynical prediction that free elections in the Middle East would bring to power anti-western and extremist leaders. Hamid Karzai, who is closely allied with the US, received a strong mandate as president in Afghanistan; Mahmoud Abbas was elected leader of the Palestinian Authority despite, or perhaps because of, his perceived moderation; and in Iraq even the campaigns of the religious parties struck a restrained note. The winning Shia United Iraqi Alliance is committed to forging national unity and bringing Sunni Muslims into the political process. When given the chance, the peoples of the Middle East are eager to prove wrong those arguing that Islam and democracy are incompatible and to fulfil their aspirations to freedom and self-rule.

Western nations have so far dismally failed to support them. US-led coalitions resorted to regime change to deal with threatening governments in Afghanistan and Iraq, but they are quiet on, and even acquiescent to, authoritarianism and corruption in the rest of the region. The red-carpet reception given to Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, in London in December reminds us of the double standards at play. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001, the US and Britain have declared Pakistan a valued ally, lending their tacit sanction to Mr Musharraf's monopoly on power.