James Kirchik, writing in the Weekly Standard, reminds us of another foreign policy disaster, initiated by Jimmy Carter, with long-running horrendous consequences for the people forced to live under the rule of another leftist strongman Carter helped usher into power: Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe and Nkomo made it clear that their Patriotic Front would not give up the fight and participate in elections unless they were assured of victory. In so doing, the guerrilla leaders removed any doubt that they had no interest in democracy. [....]

Muzorewa--spurned by the West, deemed illegitimate by the African dictatorships, and forced to contend with Communist-armed insurgents--would hold power for a mere matter of months. The betrayal of Muzorewa is one of the more craven episodes in American foreign policy.