https://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/2011/02/03/the-problem-of-the-friendly-tyrant-2/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 02:07:40 -0400<![CDATA[We&#8217;ve had many alliances with friendly tyrants, from Stalin to Papa Doc, from Mubarak to Pinochet, from the shah to the Saudi royal family.  It&#8217;s not an easy embrace.  If you&#8217;re the American president you know, or should know, that it&#8217;s only a matter of time before the American people &#8212; or at least a big chunk of &#8220;public opinion&#8221; &#8212; turn against the tyrant and demand that we support his domestic enemies, real and imagined.  You don&#8217;t want that, since you know that in the ensuing political free-for-all you will be stained with the same spray of slime that besmirches the tyrants.]]>Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:40:00 -0500<![CDATA[Michael Ledeen]]>https://pjmedia.com/michael-ledeen/2011/02/03/the-problem-of-the-friendly-tyrant-2-n187167