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Several of the United States’ allies remain among the world’s most egregious violators of human rights, according to a recent report from a nonpartisan federal panel, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Not only that, two nations whose oppressive governments the American forces have helped overthrow since 2001—Iraq and Afghanistan—are in danger of joining the infamous list.

The commission made public its 2006 annual report and recommendations during a May 3 press conference in Washington.

Republican member of Congress Henry J. Hyde opened a budget hearing of the House International Relations Committee on February 16 with a speech he called “Perils of the Golden Theory.” A reporter for National Public Radio called it flowery. I found it to be eloquent and nuanced, with a profundity one rarely encounters at a congressional budget hearing. (To read the entire speech, go to www.house.gov and follow links to the International Relations Committee and then to “speeches.”)