Middle East

As someone who doesn't know allot about how the middle east works a few questions come up about the recent revolutions that bother me.

1) Is it possible that 9/11 could have been avoided if the U.S. took a more firm stance againts regimes in the middle east that showed little respect for democracy or human rights? (in other words not support them?)

2) Would it be practical in a strategic or economic sense for us to not do buisness with these kind of states? If so why aren't we?

3) What can the U.S. do to improve its own human rights record after some of the things its done during the war on terror? (for example detaining people for years on end without charges or trial and torture)

>>4
It will only ever matter in as far as what and how much we can accomplish.  It doesn't matter what we do; we'll be hated regardless.  It's not even necessary to view it from a historical perspective anymore - there are places around the world where just the fact that we're America is sufficient and it doesn't matter what we do or have done.

For example, your word "innocent."  Are there are no contractors of ours out there with any irrational malice? or people who have a profession that takes them into a dangerous position and are willing to do it?  No American can ever be considered innocent, even individually.

As long as you're wondering that, go and find out rather than speculating.

>>5
You want alternatives?  Love everyone, hate everyone, ignore everyone, or fight everyone; compromise is outside of your window.