I don't know about Model democrats, Yulia Tymoshenko's connection and alleged corruption with gas companies would give GW Bush and Dick Cheney sour grape.
While Viktor Yushchenko has the bad habit of illegally dissolve the Parliament.

These "color revolutions" were directed by two Americans, Gene Sharp and Robert Helvey (Google their names.)

Their "Strategic Nonviolent Action" is basically a form of warfare.

No need to Google, chas. Danwei can hook you up right here.

Ah right. Thanks Joel, I read that.

I can see the CCP propagandists gleefully rubbing their hands together whilst concocting the headlines for an "anti-democracy" outcome...

Quick, Jeremy Goldkorn, dial the fashion dragons! As the stiletto set of the front row will chorus: we sense a pattern here, dahlings!
Ukraine changes colour again! Abian trades Taiwan independence and smart suits for prison stripes and a gated lifestyle!
For once, I agree (but only partly) with Washington Post that calls Malaysia a sham democracy but they forgot to add the word, corrupt. Japan is exposed as same-same after 70 years of LDP and may revert to type if Hatoyama doesn’t manage to keep his shirt on. Gambatte, hatoyama!
Democracy is falling faster than hemlines! Or faltering like Naomi Campbell in 16-inch platforms!
A dark day, alas, for western liberals that calls for wearing the little black dress a la chanel. But from the wumaodang or Chinese view, an occasion to celebrate in China Red. Viva la rouge chinoise!
Or, delicious irony, Reagan Red.

Chas,
Yes, but what is not "basically" a form of warfare? Everything can be reduced to that; no neutrality, and so forth. Certainly your comment can be construed as a form of warfare: that is, a strike launched against Sharp and Helvey. As can my own. But what does that accomplish? So, we're all playing at war, basically. And you don't appear to be the mightiest at this game. Just rank-and-file; no general.

of course it's warfare, and it's the highest form of warfare. To achieve you're political by stratagem rather than battles.
"We see, therefore, that war is not merely a political act, but also a real political instrument, a continuation of political commerce, a carrying out of the same by other means. All beyond this which is strictly peculiar to war relates merely to the peculiar nature of the means which it uses."
-Carl von Clausewitz

"Thus to fight a hundred battles and win a hundred battles, is not a reflection of the most supreme strategy. The ability to subdue the enemy without battle is a reflection of the ultimate supreme strategy. "
-Sun Tzu

Carl von Clausewitz and Sun Tzu

Nicholas, you give me entirely too much credit. While Sharp and Helvey gets millions upon millions from Uncle Sam, I don't get a red cent (let alone 50.)

Ok, Chas, then I guess you're like me, impartial, but much more accurately: unbought...yet. Trick of the impartial is to get so influential that one of the high bidders can quiet you, or, better employ you.