The Trials of Ayman Nour

In today's Wall Street Journal, AEI Resident Fellow Joshua Muravchik documents the disturbing trials of Ayman Nour (another must read). I don't understand why his imprisonment isn't a bigger news story. Nor do I see any difference between him and Nelson Mandela or Natan Sharansky, and yet too few of my peers woud recognize his name or cause. I also don't understand why the rest of the Arab world isn't rallying behind him, or why the Council on American-Islamic Relations does not mention one word of his predicament on its website (instead they would much prefer to protest a much greater evil than the authoritarian rule of Mubarak -- Wachovia Bank's closure of an Islamic Charity's bank account. I'm not going to hold my breath for a hunger strike ...)

How long will it take for those in Egypt or elsewhere to realize that the proponents of democratic reform, particularly by peaceful means, are to be found in neoconservative circles? Or that a self-described Jewish Neonconservative like Muravchick, and Jewish Congressman such as Adam Schiff (D-California), and Condoleeza Rice are among his strongest advocates?

Considering the above, I couldn't help but wonder:

Do Arabs, and Arab-Americans actually yearn for democratic reform in the middle east? Or does their animosity towards Israel, Jews, and the United States override their thirst for freedom?