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Bahman Baktiari discussed the prospects of democratization in Iran and noted the long tug-of–war for power in Iran’s history between clerics and secularists. Baktari noted three political realities in Iran today: 1) an increased secularization from below among the younger generation; 2) factionalism in government resulting political gridlock and; 3) political decision-making based on conflict management. The future of Iranian politics will be determined primarily by the government's ability to respond to a rapidly changing society as well as to balance its interest in a sound foreign policy toward the US with significant internal opposition to US policies, particularly those in Iraq.

Zeyno Baran described Turkey as a model for a Muslim democracy based on tolerance and acceptance of differences and argued that it is in the interest of the US to repair any damages to the relationship by addressing Ankara's needs. Turkey can help the US achieve its long-term goals in the Middle East by continuing to support energy cooperation in Central Asia, serve as a good example of moderation and stability to other Muslim countries, continue to foster good relations with Israel, reach out to anti-US jihadist groups, and promote globally a moderate form of Islam and secularism. Some US policy makers think that Islamic elements in the Turkish government are responsible for an anti-US sentiment, but they should keep in mind that it was the Islamic leadership in the current government who supported giving Turkish military assistance to the US in Iraq.

Yitzhak Reiter examined the definition of a democracy pointing out that other variations of democracy, which are not the equivalent to American democracy, exist. He suggested broadening the debate beyond the scope of traditional definitions of a democratic system. Otherwise, no systems in the Middle East attain an acceptable level. Using the example of Jordan, Reiter highlighted the difficult challenge faced by Arab leaders of balancing the importance of Islam in society with the idea of granting individual freedoms. Under King Hussein, subjects enjoyed the freedoms of a liberal autocracy but the King retreated from democracy because it is often perceived as a mechanism of diminishing the role of Islam. In Israel, he noted, democracy is marred by the second-class citizenship of Israeli Arabs and discrimination against them.

Hussein Shoboshki described dramatic changes taking place in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East today, going so far as to predict that in the coming decade censorship will end, daily challenges of liberties will cease to exist, and political participation will increase for women. He asserted that the Middle East is ready for democracy, and changes are taking place. However, these changes cannot be forced down the throat of people in the region, nor should they be imposed from outside.

Mohammed Wahby recalled Egypt’s dynamic period of democracy between 1923-1952, which generated the most accomplished Arab writers, thinkers, scientists, and artists. He said that while Muslim fundamentalists still hold sway on the streets, the expansion of freedom of expression is evident everywhere in the Arab world. Wahby warned that democracy cannot be imposed by a foreign power,. Many Arab countries are keenly aware, he concluded, that “democracy cannot survive without stability; stability cannot endure without democracy”.