The possible-to-likely disintegration of Mubarak\u2019s regime in Egypt leaves the United States in a very difficult position. Hosni Mubarak\u2019s government has been very close to the United States for as long as he\u2019s been in power; America owes him, unfortunately, and we can\u2019t really pull the rug out from under him without panicking our other autocratic allies and ally-ish types in the region, most notably the House of \u00a0Saud.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, there is growing indications that the protests of today are nearing a tipping point. CNN is reporting that the military is joining in protests, at least in Cairo. If true, that means that Mubarak\u2019s time in office may now be measured in hours. And America can\u2019t\u00a0not<\/em> back the protesters, because should they gain control of Egypt, they will be in charge of the Suez, a border with Israel, and a key point in the crossroads of the Middle East.<\/p>\n Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s statement<\/a> shows just what a tightrope the Obama administration is trying to walk:<\/p>\n We are deeply concerned about the use of violence by Egyptian police and security forces against protesters, and we call on the Egyptian Goverment to do everything in its power to restrain the security forces. At the same time, protesters should also refrain from violence and express themselves peacefully.<\/p>\n We support the universal human rights of the Egyptian people, including the right to freedom of speech, of association, and of assembly. We urge the Egyptian authorities to allow peaceful protests and to reverse the unprecedented steps it has taken to cut off communications.<\/p>\n These protests underscore that there are deep grievances within Egyptian society and Egyptian Government needs to understand that violence will not make these grievances go away. As President Obama said yesterday, reform is absolutely critical to the well-being of Egypt.<\/p>\n Egypt has long been an important partner of the United States on a wide range of regional issues. As a partner, we strongly believe that the Egyptian Government needs to engage immediately with the Egyptian people in implementing needed economic, political, and social reforms. We continue to raise with the Egyptian Government \u2014 as we do with other governments in the region \u2014 the imperative for reform and greater openness and participation to provide a better future for all. We want to partner with the Egyptian people and their Government to realise their aspirations, to live in a democratic society that respects basic human rights.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n That addresses the fundamental tensions in the U.S. position here \u2014 the desire to back a stable ally, cutting against the desire to support the sort of democratic and social rights that have been our nation\u2019s\u00a0raison d\u2019\u00eatre.<\/em><\/p>\n Ultimately, I tend to\u00a0agree with Brian Whittaker<\/a> that the Obama Administration is looking to salvage the situation in a way that gets Mubarak out of Egypt safely, turns control over to a secular government (likely military in the short term, hopefully at least quasi-democratic in the long term), and hopefully protects American interests with regard to Israel and the Suez. \u00a0The hope is that the future government of Egypt will be one that shows at least as much respect for human rights as the present one, with less corruption and more democracy. But we\u2019ll see. The situation is fluid right now, and where things go from here is anyone\u2019s guess.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The possible-to-likely disintegration of Mubarak\u2019s regime in Egypt leaves the United States in a very difficult position. Hosni Mubarak\u2019s government has been very close to the United States for as long as he\u2019s been in power; America owes him, unfortunately, … Continue reading