US risks missing opportunity to play leading role in Middle East transition

The transition to a democratic government after the fall in January of President Zine Abedine Ben Ali is stalling. (File photo)By JAMES M. DORSEY
AL ARABIYAThe window of opportunity to throw off the yoke of autocratic rule in the Middle East and North Africa and reposition the United States as a force that promotes democracy and freedom is closing six mo…