麻豆社

President Obama, on a visit to Europe this week, said that he supports those fighting for democratic freedoms in the Arab world. Many believe that for too long western policy has helped prop up authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, because it suited western governments. But are there limits to that support when it comes to backing reformers in, for example, Saudi Arabia? HARDtalk's Zeinab Badawi speaks to Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, one of Britain's most experienced former ambassadors, who served in Saudi Arabia and also Afghanistan. Does he believe western foreign policy in the Muslim world now reflects values - or is it based on naked self-interest?