The column is an attack on the democratic resistance to Saddam Hussein based on the opinions Mr. Friedman picks up on a visit to a non-democratic country. And it is an attack on sanctions for failing to achieve a goal they were not intended to achieve.
Political parties are illegal, and there are no organized opposition groups.
Workers may not form unions or bargain collectively. . . 1995, Crown Prince Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, long recognized as the real power in the country, deposed his father in a palace coup while the emir vacationed in Switzerland. . . . This is the country where the New York Times diplomatic columnist shows up to get a reading that he suggests American policymakers should defer to. And of course, Mr. Friedman neglects to inform his readers of these facts on the ground in Qatar. It's not true.