Land rights and ownership will be governed by the rule of law, not by the whims of the powerful.

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Although its war in Iraq serves their goal of preventing a post-Saddam Iraq from developing into a coherent, multi-ethnic, stable state governed by the rule of law, al-Qaida is not an Iranian (or Syrian) organization.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Where America and Iraq converge

What separates democracies from tyrannies and failed states is that democracies determine power's distribution through deliberation and debate while tyrannies and failed states are governed by the rule of the gun and the laws of the jungle.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Where America and Iraq converge

She said Morsy's state of emergency declaration should be governed by the rule of law, in line with international standards, and urged him to listen to the demands of demonstrators and take action to deal with problems in the judicial system.

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As a result, the American goal of shepherding the development of a democratic, stable post-Saddam Iraq governed by the rule of law, while the rule of the jackboot, the mullah and the imam remain the order of the day in neighboring countries, has always been problematic.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Where America and Iraq converge

The ANC, which has governed South Africa since white minority rule ended in 1994, is widely expected to win nationwide elections due in 2014.

BBC: ANC re-elects Jacob Zuma as leader

The rule of law rests on the consent of the governed in two ways.

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But it could well grow into a thriving, tolerably governed nation with a weak central government and very effective local rule, a positive and vivid contrast to many other Middle East states, especially Syria and Iran.

FORBES: Winning the War