While the world focuses on Libya, things are still playing out in Egypt.
While most of the world is focused on our efforts in Libya, the revolution that seemed to touch things off in the Middle East is still playing out in Egypt; this is an important fact for its neighbors and other nations to remember. by Russell W. Dickson
(libertarian)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
While most of the world is focused on our efforts in Libya, the revolution that seemed to touch things off in the Middle East is still playing out in Egypt; this is an important fact for its neighbors and other nations to remember. The peaceful protests (for the most part) that unseated President Hosni Mubarak six weeks ago was just the first step in a transition to a democratic, free and peaceful nation.
Egypt is arguably the most important Arab country and a power of example to the Arab world. Egyptians are going to have to put a lot of work in over decades if they plan on getting it right. The chances of success are greatly improved if the United States and other major democratic nations stand by ready to help.
Egyptians are proud of what they accomplished, and rightly so, but they are wary of outsiders, especially the U.S. They have not forgotten that we backed the old regime. It is important that they quickly make the necessary political reforms. If they refuse our help, hopefully our democratic allies will step in and advise them on political parties and rule of law.
The U.S. and Europe can help bring about economic reform in Egypt. The state-run military controlled economy needs revamping because historically it has failed to create jobs for millions of young Egyptians. A recent multimillion-dollar U.S. economic aid package is a good start and will certainly help them on their way, if it is channeled to the right people.
The Arab world is on the cusp of something great, there is a lot at risk. We do not know how things will play out. The United States and its allies must work cautiously and urgently to help Egyptians grow their democracy. This fledgling- would be- democracy needs to be a durable and stable foundation for peace and tolerance in the Middle East, if we are to hope that change will continue to sweep across the region.
An article on wnponline.org points out that, Egypt's historic position in the heart of the Arab world means that what happens in Egypt does not stay in Egypt. Regardless of the form the new government eventually takes, it will have a powerful resonance across the region.
With expectations of elections still set for later this year, many experts are concerned about the nature of the government that may emerge. Overly hasty democratization could eventually lead to a takeover by repressive Islamists.
Historian David Bellin in an article on foreignpolicy.com explains that "the crucial point to keep in mind, as events in Egypt unfold, is that even in the best-case scenario . . . a seemingly stable, democratic, secular government the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 may still just be getting started. Its crucial moments may lie months, or even years, in the future."
Bell concludes, "Egypt probably does not face the prospect of an Islamic Revolution in the next few months. But if Mubarak . . . is replaced by a weak, unstable series of governments that cannot restore order or deliver serious social and economic reformsand thus quickly lose credibility and legitimacy among the populationthen a different, far more radical revolutionary movement may yet develop. And despite the current lack of a charismatic leader for such a movement, one could quickly emerge out of the torrent of events."
Still, some maintain that Egypt's well-educated middle class and sophisticated elite have enough of a sense of national pride to turn the chaos of street demonstrations into the beginnings of democracy.
And others argue that the well-respected, deeply entrenched Egyptian army will not allow the rise of an Islamist regime. For nearly six decades, the Egyptian armed forces have propped up every one of the nation's autocratic leadersMubarak, Anwar Sadat and Gamal Abdel Nasser. They were all former military officers
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 5
thumbs so far
The views expressed
in this article are those of Russell W. Dickson only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Russell W. Dickson is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
