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  But, with Egypt and Iraq as my evidence, I think stable democracies absolutely require one other thing--robust legal protection for minorities from the potential tyranny of the majority. We tend to forget that ingredient.
  
  In Iraq, free and fair elections led a tyranny of the majority Shia over the Sunni; and then ISIS. In Egypt, already in their constituent assembly, the constitutional scales were tipped for Islam and against secular thought (to the chagrin of the secular students whose protests set the stage). Free elections, majority tyranny of Islam; then military dictatorship. 
  
  It is a very long shot to suggest that Syria, uniquely, will get democracy right with iron clad protections of minorities (Christians among others) from the tyranny of the majority. 
  
  I'm not suggesting Arabs can't handle democracy; rather that western mentors fail to grasp that our powerful protections for minorities are essential to stable democracies. (So says Dennis, today at least.)