I've surprised Fareed hasn't remarked more on Iraq's astonishing economic growth (50% last year, 35% ytd 2005). The "zone of democracy" where democracies succeed 2/3 of the time is $6,000 - $9,000 GDP per capita, which Iraq should reach in the next couple years. If rapid economic growth continues from there -- well, as Fareed himself said, once democracies become rich they are immortal.

The above numbers came from Fareed's "Future of Freedom," which is why I find it odd Fareed hasn't remarked more on them.

I's afraid he's been talking to Eleanor Clift too much.

Yeah, I stumbled across an article he wrote from last year and was shocked to find how "Clift-like" he sounded. Still, he's always a serious thinker to watch.