The Middle East uprisings – demanding freedom, democracy and prosperity from corrupt, autocratic rulers – give the United States a unique historical opportunity to redefine its policies in the region and regain creditability.

To do so, it should look to Morocco.

While seeking to curb extremists from taking advantage of the unrest, Washington must change its habit of blindly supporting friendly autocrats, who favor stability over freedom. The U.S. must also work with its regional allies on reforms to create a blueprint for the model modern Muslim state.

This model has yet to emerge. Many looked to Turkey. But the struggle between its military and political echelons, and its inability to harness the spirit of this Arab awakening, rule it out. Iraq’s nascent democracy was also considered, but its political stability remains questionable.

Morocco’s progress in recent years, however, has been significant. Since becoming king in 1999, Mohammed VI broke away from his father’s brutal policies during the ‘Years of Lead