Program Overview

• Hosts: Ron Nessen and Steve Roberts
• Original Airdate: Oct 2007

Democracy promotion has been a pillar of American foreign policy since the founding of the nation. While democracy is an ideal that unites Americans, spreading it around the world has proven difficult and often divisive. Today, America’s efforts to bring freedom to Iraq and Afghanistan have sent democracy promotion’s stock tumbling to an all time low.

In segment one, Ray Suarez examines the challenges of promoting democracy in the Middle East today.

We take a closer look at democracy promotion and U.S. foreign policy from World War I to the Iraq War in segment two, with reporter Ron Nessen and Professor of Political Science, Tony Smith.

In segment three, Steve Roberts examines the American attempt to foster democracy under the rule of the American-backed Marcos Regime in the Philippines during the 1980s.

In the final segment, Ray Suarez talks to major players in the Rose Revolution, when democracy was demanded by the people of the Republic of Georgia.

Guests on this segment include:

Carl Gershman, president of the National Endowment for Democracy

Rami Khouri, director of the Issaam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut

Jennifer Windsor, executive director of Freedom House

Tony Smith, professor of political science at Tufts University

Richard Armitage, assistant secretary of defense

Michael Armacost, undersecretary of state

Steven Bosworth, US ambassador to the Philippines

Morton Abramowitz, head of the State Department’s Intelligence and Research Bureau;

Sen. Paul Laxalt (R-Nev)

Rep. Steven Solarz (D-NY)

Eduard Shevardnadze, former president of Georgia

Giga Bokeria, member of the Georgian Parliament for the United National Movement party

John Tefft, US ambassador to Georgia;

Tinatin Khidasheli, founder of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association.