Why Egypt Matters: The Implications Of The Protests

As the protests continue in Egypt after President Hosni Mubarak's refusal to step down, the international media is increasingly focused on the Egyptian unrest. Why is the story gaining traction? There are a number of factors that make Egypt's unrest important, in both that country, the Middle East, and the world. Below, see the top reasons why Egypt should matter to you. You can also check here for the latest updates.

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Strong U.S. Ally

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Egypt has been a key ally for the U.S. in the region since the 1970's, and is currently the second highest recipient of U.S. foreign aid (after Israel). The Obama administration -- from Joe Biden, who refused to call Mubarak a dictator, to Obama himself, who emphasized Egypt's role as an ally -- has been loathe to fully distance itself from Mubarak, and finds itself in a difficult position, reports the Atlantic.

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Egypt has been a key ally for the U.S. in the region since the 1970's, and is currently the second highest recipient of U.S. foreign aid (after Israel). The Obama administration -- from Joe Biden, who refused to call Mubarak a dictator, to Obama himself, who emphasized Egypt's role as an ally -- has been loathe to fully distance itself from Mubarak, and finds itself in a difficult position, reports the Atlantic.

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Comments

[Mimo Mohamed]

07:28 AM on 02/11/2011

Egypt matters Because its our Egypt, U.S must watch and see we dont need any opinion from any one we are 80milion living in it we dont care about how others want us to be.

[Lus Csar Nunes]

07:36 AM on 02/03/2011

I do not know which is worse in all these terrible events in Egypt, where the regime's brutality or the isolation that the U.S. is producing in the democratic movement. It's amazing that the reputation of MB is being built by the betrayal of traditional parties. Regrettably want to dialogue with the regime certain opposition groups only demonstrate cowardice and leave the opposition. Indirectly they are increasing the prestige of the MB, if that remains unchanged. And if the MB remains intact I do not see why it should not be supported by those who want democracy. It's much worse to leave the movement in the hands of groups eager to negotiate with the regime, even after the whole brutality against demonstrators, as shown by this same motion even under a strict censorship. Outrageous and indignation. Are the only words to describe it.

[dlo2]

10:31 AM on 02/02/2011

"The goal toward which all history tends is peace, not peace through the medium of war, not peace through a process of universal intimidation, not peace through a program of mutual impoverishment, not peace by any means that leaves the world too weak or too frightened to go on fighting, but peace pure and simple based on that will to peace which has animated the overwhelming majority of mankind through countless ages. This will to peace does not arise out of a cowardly desire to preserve one's life and property, but out of conviction that the fullest development of the highest powers of men can be achieved only in a world of peace."

-- Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899-1977)
(extracted from http://www.wagingpeace.org/menu/issues/peace-&-war/start/peace-quotes/)

May all western powers help to create peace and stability in Egypt for the Egyptian people with a graceful exit of Mubarak and fair elections that create unity. The funds we send to Mubarak now needs to be sent to create hope and stability for their people. We need to counter radicalization with real solutions that bring peace and encourage a dialogue that might realize a two state solution for Israel. Peace...

[roboman59]

06:11 PM on 02/01/2011

The protests will create a vacuum and the new leader will be controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood (Which is a Terrorist group) along with the new leadership in Tunisia. And unrest in Jordan will bring another take over soon. With the strategic control of several key points of oil shipping lanes in trouble oil will sky rocket and provide more dollars to the Muslim Brotherhoods global cause.

WATCH OUT WORLD! This is and other supposed democracy revolutions are a Trojan horse.

[Lance Farrell]

12:55 AM on 02/02/2011

boo!

[nothing2fear]

02:52 PM on 01/31/2011

Strong ally- Our governing body has always had a fondness for dictators.


Israel-Palestine peace- It is easier to buy a dictator in order to keep things going the way you want them too. After what was leaked recently I guess we might speculate that Israel will be more willing to negotiate with the Palestinians if Egyptian rule changes.


Uncertainty- Is a factor to those who wish to control other nations, we have been paying what amounts to bribes to Mambarak for many years now. We might save some money in our efforts to influence foreign governments with our “Aid”.


Here we go with the “Domino Effect” of our past glorious Viet Nam era wars.


Of course our congress will bend over backwards for any international business interest even if it ruins this nation and our international reputation.


And more speculation on destabilization, never mind the poverty and corruption of their government, it works well with our own questionable government interests (siphoning off the wealth of the nation into the pockets of a few). Sort of what we do when we give aid to a dictatorship.


We should stand back and see how the chips fall. We have proven ourselves over the years to be no friend of the people as long as we can buy their dictator.

[JoannaDanielle]

02:08 PM on 01/31/2011

Did you know there is a typo TE 6th slide?

[MiHi]

11:53 AM on 01/31/2011

I doubt that a new Egyptian Govt. will turn into a Afghanistan/Iranian Sharia dictatorship. Both of those countries have shown the Middle East how NOT to run a country.

What I see is more of a coalition government being formed, with demands for being a larger player in Middle East affairs and the right to renegotiate the peace treaty with Israel.

'11 Egypt is NOT Iran '79, people. That's 30 years of US propaganda and conditioning trying to control you. Chillax!

[pa30]

11:58 AM on 02/01/2011

Don't negate Zarqawi's organization.

[Anne Armistead]

09:41 AM on 01/31/2011

It would be truthful to say that Egypt's autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak has been a strong ally of the USA. B/c our government is nothing more than a corporate subsidiary our allies are hated rulers of the people.....the Egyptian people do NOT embrace the goals of US foreign policy. Come to think of it....neither do the American people (when they figure out what those goals are and how they are accomplished.) So the Egyptian people want real democracy.....and suddenly the US is not promoting democracy in the Middle East.
Just like democracy is not promoted in the USA.

[2crudedudes]

11:35 AM on 01/31/2011

Maybe instead of "freeing" the Iraqis we coulda freed the Egyptians.

[blessedfrog]

01:44 PM on 01/31/2011

So noble how we 'freed' select groups in Central + South America too!

[rebel9999]

09:21 AM on 01/31/2011

This is exciting to see. I hope we can be supportive of the Egyptian people who only want better lives and opporunities and freedom. We'll find out.

[Mary Shelley]

05:40 AM on 01/31/2011

How typical. Why should Egypt matter to US? The freedom of people should come first. The US should be ashamed that it has always backed dictators in the region who kept "order" at the price of repression of legitimate demands for human rights. This could be an opportunity for the US to change its politics and grow in the estimation of the rest of the world.

[proshot22]

02:58 AM on 01/31/2011

The American defense manufacturers have issued a statement exclaiming how extremely pleased they are to see American made M1A1 tanks on the streets of Cairo, F-16 jets in the air overhead, and our tear gas canisters launched into those third world protesters. However, they would like to request, if it's not too much trouble, some shots of the American Oliver Perry frigates sold to Egypt be shown on TV. They hope when other Middle Eastern countries see how effective American made weapons are at control their citizen's democratic protests they too will want to place an order. They also emphasize to any potential buyers to place their merchandise quickly since another revolution is likely right around the corner.

[Sam Bark]

11:25 PM on 01/30/2011

To all the kind people that are jumping up and down and getting Israel sullied and accusing Mubarak as being a Israeli stooge, calm down, and get your anti-Israel emotions out of your comments…..

Egypt or Tunisia’s situation had NOTHING to do with Israel and the Mideast conflict…These dictatorial regimes are the NORM in MOST 22 Arab, and dare I say 56 Muslim countries…. Why are you making any connection to Israel, my only guess is your anti-Israel feelings and views of Israel, and many of you against the USA.

Many Egyptians, like the Tunisians, and other Muslim countries, including the Republic of Iran are upset at their situation, lack of civil rights, lack of political freedom, and furious at their corrupt leadership.

What that has to do with ISRAEL…. More so, look around and see what happened in those Muslims countries that went through ‘such revolution’ most of them became Islamist theocracies with mandatory Sharia laws that oppressed most freedom in those nations: Pakistan, Iran, soon to be Iraq (once US pulls out) and with Hezbollah taking over Lebanon….

Most Muslim countries are ruled by dictators, some may have a democratic resemblance of regime, Malaysia and Indonesia, but not really, minorities in those countries are second class citizens like Chinese ethnics in Malaysia and Christians in Indonesia….

The peace treaty with Israel is beneficial to Egypt and its citizens as much as for Israel, in particular by reducing Egypt outlays for military and defense expenses.

[HoratioNelson]

12:07 AM on 01/31/2011

HAAHAHAHAHAH LOL!!!!

[blogger x]

12:40 AM on 01/31/2011

i think it would be useful for you to ask yourself some questions?

why are dictatorships the "norm" in the muslim world?
what role does the u.s. have in that?
does israel treat it's minorities as first class citizens?
what good is a peace treay for the palestians if it just allows israel to continue stealing their land?

[blessedfrog]

01:48 PM on 01/31/2011

I think Dictatorships are the norm in the muslim world

because

1- their society seems to be on an arc several centuries behind the west in that they didn't have the 'enligtenment' of the 1700's which forwarded arguments that 'sun gods' didn't have an inherent right to 'own' people for their own luxury

and

2 - the west likes and supports dictators who keep the order and supply the oil to the west's companies - as oppossed to letting the middle east masses enjoy all that oil money

:)

[crease]

05:45 PM on 01/31/2011

It's really all about oil and other natural rescources in the middle east and elsewhere.Everyway I look at it I see these countries leaders as being installed by the US in way or another,then prop them up with our $$$$$$ and expertise and intellect.It's amazing we have somehow eliminated these Democratically elected left leaning leaders that had wanted to NATIONALIZE their oil and other natural rescources in the middle east and S.America and then we install these brutal dictators who hand over their OIL and other natural rescources basically because the US told them to do it.Our American Empire is falling and all you have to do is see how Rome did it and you can really see the comparisons.

[mujino]

11:15 PM on 01/30/2011

and American people may get ideas and rise up against the tyranny of wall street dictator in us

[Sam Bark]

11:27 PM on 01/30/2011

Comrade, you are talking like a true commuinst

[mujino]

11:42 PM on 01/30/2011

wrong, a recovering billionaire instead

[SiameseTrainer]

01:51 AM on 01/31/2011

And you are barking like a true dog.

[Greg Mirsky]

11:45 PM on 01/30/2011

Arise, you prisoners of starvation!
Arise, you wretched of the earth!
For justice thunders condemnation:
A better world's in birth!
No more tradition's chains shall bind us,
Arise you slaves, no more in thrall!
The earth shall rise on new foundations:
We have been nought, we shall be all!
'Tis the final conflict,
Let each stand in his place.
The international soviet
Shall be the human race
'Tis the final conflict,
Let each stand in his place.
The international working class
Shall be the human race ...
Delegates of the XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII Congress of the Communist Party of the ... sang and then burst into applauds. Oh, memories, so sweet. Dear Leonid Ilijch! Dear Yuri Vladimirovich! Dear Konstantin Ustinivoch! Dear Mikhail Sergeyevich! So missed ... Neah!

[SiameseTrainer]

01:52 AM on 01/31/2011

FaM!!!

[polaris12]

10:24 PM on 01/30/2011

"Egypt has served as a key arbitrator in the Israel-Palestine peace process. As one of the few Arab interlocutors in the region, the Mubarak regime has been a powerful go between." What has Egypt done to advance the peace process? Very little. In the case of Gaza, Egypt held the Palestinians in place while the Israelis beat them up. Some arbitrator.

[rissole]

10:56 PM on 01/30/2011

The worse part is that they did it for money.

[Lauteur Calme]

09:30 PM on 01/30/2011

As a distant observer, I'm curious to know if people in the U.S. fully understand the massive fraud and corrupt collaborat­ion between U.S. politician­s and Wall St. that has wreaked havoc upon the world?

It is simply astounding and beyond belief! Many innocent people who understand little about the complexity of the world monetary system which is controlled by the U.S., Fed, and its Wall St. cronies, tragically end up suffering the most.

Those who fully understand this complexity also benefit the most. Neverthele­ss, the global money system is manipulate­d by a few at the expense of the many. And yet, while brave Egyptians and Tunisians desperatel­y try to restore some sanity to political and economic life in their countries, the U.S. continues to export inflation throughout the world by its monetary policy of QE2. This form of financial socialism only benefits the rich and powerful, while war and domestic upheaval only distracts people from economic problems!

The con game by the U.S. and Wall Street is over, and perhaps Europe, China, and the U.S. can learn something from these brave Egyptians and Tunisians!

[dayahka2]

09:50 PM on 01/30/2011

I doubt that they understand, but more importantly, I doubt that they care. All Americans care about is their money, sports, comfort, and fantasy. Most of them couldn't even find Canada or Mexico on a map of North America.

[Musical Mozart]

09:59 PM on 01/30/2011

Fanned and faved.

The con game of the US and Wall Street is, indeed, over. The BRIC nations -- Brazil, Russia, India and China are leading the vanguard against the US hegemony, which was described by former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, as a "benevolent hegemony". OMG, I about fell off my chair when I read that years ago. And the sad thing is that most Americans bought into what she said.

I'm disgusted with Americans in general. You need to wake the f**** up. Period.

Let's name names while we are at it. Who are the "few" who manipulate the global economies at the expense of many? The super-rich Rothschilds family tops the list and their center is in the famed London Square in England. As of a number of years ago, their aggregate worth was estimated to be over $300 trillion; this estimate was suggested by a Russian economist, whose name escapes me at the moment. What is very interesting to me is that I arrived at the same figure several months prior to the publication of this financial figure of the wealth of the Rothschilds.

Rockefellers is another name. The Rothschilds "gave" the Rockefellers the oil industry, figuring that the Rockefellers would always be second-fiddle to the Rothschilds, but the Rothschilds vastly underestimated the sheer financial and military power that the Rockefellers would eventually amass over the years, fueled by oil profits.

[obviousman88]

12:32 PM on 01/31/2011

Brazil, Russia, India and China all have extremely high Gini coefficients. I wouldn't call them exemplars of economic change.