For a moment, four years ago, it seemed that dictators in the Middle East would soon be a thing of the past.
The overwhelming Israeli firepower unleashed on the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the ongoing battle in Gaza is perhaps reminiscent of the Algerian war of independence (1954-1962) when France, the colonial power, used its vastly superior military strength to strike back at the insurgents with brutal ferocity.
After half a century, Colombia may put an end to its conflict—if the U.S. will allow it.