Technology can swiftly destroy governance models, as well as business ones, as Tunisia, then Egypt, have demonstrated. Tweets, SMS messages and cell swarms can undermine and bypass military power and mass mindsets, the miracle of gadgets that have always been around but never with such accelerated effectiveness.
The technology of the printing press, and Gutenberg bible, gradually felled medieval Superpower, the Roman Catholic hierarchy. The television in August 1989 broadcast behind the Iron Curtain the fact that the Soviet "king" had no clothes when the Hungarian border opened wide and people fled without obstruction. Within days, street protests sprung, and within weeks, by Nov. 2, regimes collapsed and the Berlin Wall was dismantled.
Now this. In 18 days, the most influential Arab country has overthrown a dictatorship through a combination of technology and Gandhi-like nonviolence. It's clear that China, Iran and other dictatorships are simply revolutions waiting to happen because Egypt's Revolution 2.0 will bring more transformative outcomes:
-- Egypt is the capital or most important nation-state in the Arab world. It sets the cultural tone for Arabs and is the Hollywood, music mecca and publishing capital of the Arab Street which stretches from Lebanon to Morocco. That's why this Egyptian revolution, with its nonviolence and gentility, has created and demonstrated that a "middle path" is possible for Arabs who are caught between dictatorships and radical Islamism as alternatives. This changes everything.
-- Egypt has exposed an Arab stereotype and demonization that has been inaccurate and tainted world opinion and foreign policies. The world saw Egyptians queue up to protest, its activists maintain law and order and its people adhere to nonviolent civil disobedience. It was classy and civilized as world-famous Egyptian movie star Omar Sharif noted: "I'm so proud of our Egyptian youth and people. They are so courageous and so kind to one another."
-- Syria, Jordan, Algeria, Libya and Morocco will improve their governance or sustain revolutions.
-- Oil-rich monarchies like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the emirates will simply continue to bribe their residents.
-- Iran's theocracy is doomed, as Egypt's example inspires Iranians, who are not Arabs.
-- Turkey, also not an Arab nation, will join forces with a New Egypt and help lead a pan-Mediterranean economic development zone.
-- Israel will now have no more six months to make a deal with the Palestinians, according to former US President Bill Clinton in an interview two weeks ago in Davos. It's now or never, which is why feverish talks with the US, and EU are underway to hammer out a preemptive peace agreement now that Egypt's dictatorship is gone, which was Israel's only regional ally.
-- It is possible that a peace deal could result in Gaza eventually joining a newly-democratized Egypt and the West Bank, a reformed, democratic Jordan.
-- China's dictatorship will speed up its democratization and sensitization of its governance. Chinese officials have censored from search engines "radioactive" search words such as Egypt, Egyptian protest and Mubarak but this won't shutter transparency.
Lastly, and a matter of wishful thinking, Egypt will take its place as an important nation as its destiny is transferred from people with muscle and ruthlessness to people with brains, talent and humanity.
Crossposted with theNational Post.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
The Wartime Updates You Need To Know
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
HuffPost is dedicated to covering the devastating war between Hamas and Israel. We've broken news on the famine in Gaza, the State Department's turmoil, as well as what Hamas is thinking now — and we're far from done. HuffPost is committed to bringing you the critical updates you need to know. Would you consider contributing as little as $2 to support our reporting? Thank you for your support.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.