The US has been in the business of selective condemnations, though, and it doesn't look good when we condemn some but hold hands with others.

I believe that realpolitik is often the only workable methodology, but being more even-handed in just providing lip-service, if nothing more, would make us more credible.

Without laying direct blame, it is fair to observe that democracy is not 'on the rise' very substantially.

Your comment is great and I appreciate the distinction- thanks for reminding us that the US isn't the only country that's created problems and, more to your point, these countries bear a certain responsibility.

I don't think there should be any military intervention by the US (or any country) into a sovereign nation with the goal being regime change so democracy and freedom spreads. It's a path the citizens of those countries must take themselves or else we'll end up like we are in Iraq- as unwelcome occupiers. But that's not to say that we can't nudge and encourage the citizens of those countries to live to their potential- whether through better education, etc.

Mugabe isn't a creature of the American cold-war policy machine. If ANY western nation should be seriously considering intervention in Zimbabwe, it's britain, not the U.S..