Defying a curfew and violent repression, the people of Egypt are refusing to back down until President Hosni Mubarak — the dictator who has ruled for 30 years — goes. They regard the concession he has made, the dismissal of his own Cabinet, as a contemptible joke. Hundreds of thousands have occupied central areas of Cairo and other major cities, and their ranks have swelled even as the tear gas has spread and the beatings have intensified. The ruling National Democratic Party's building has been burnt down; the state TV building and the Foreign Ministry have been attacked. Over 1,000 people were arrested in the first three days and a similar number have been injured in Cairo alone, with figures not yet known for Alexandria and other cities. Newspapers report over 100 deaths so far, but the protests show no diminution despite the closure of access to the Internet and mobile phone networks. The mass rage has many causes, from long-term structural unemployment through rising and apparently uncontrollable food prices to rampant corruption and the brutality of the notorious security agencies. Yet unlike the 1977 bread riots, which forced Anwar Sadat to restore a grain and fuel subsidy, the present and still largely leaderless protests are directed against the entire political structure in a country of great importance to the region and the rest of the world. Egypt's population of 80 million is far and away the biggest in North Africa and West Asia, and the country is the guardian of the Suez Canal.
Tunisia's brave people, who recently ended Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's 23-year rule, may well have inspired Egyptians. Another factor has been the influential role played by Al Jazeera — the standout voice of aggressive, independent journalism in the Arab world — in channelling popular discontent through the region. After an absurd attempt to blame the Ikhwanul Muslimeen or Muslim Brotherhood, the Mubarak regime turned to violence, with the police and semi-official thug militias using tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets against protesters. Tanks have also been deployed. Cables released by WikiLeaks show that the United States has had no illusions about the régime. Washington and its allies now stand thoroughly exposed for using aid of over $2 billion a year and silence over internal repression to turn Cairo into a crucial agent of their regional policy, particularly in suppressing demands for justice for the Palestinians. The Egyptian people's uprising is showing the world that this highly prized western ally is utterly devoid of legitimacy. That message will echo through every other dictatorship in the region. We are almost certainly witnessing a transformative moment in the modern history of West Asia.
Keywords: Egypt protests, Hosni Mubarak, Tunisia
President Mubarak should step down,and clear the path for free and independent election.The brutual attack on peaceful protestors is shameful and Mubarak must quit if he has any respect for the democracy.
Pro-dictatorship sentiments are destined to be perished.Democracy is life line of most of the nations and peaceful revolution to suppress dictatorship has always achieved glorious feat.
Dictatorship and capitalism are the worst combination and are bound to spark revolutions (its in their DNA). Capitalism must be kept on tight leash as the American reverse mortgage crisis showed.
It is fascinating to watch and compare the reactions of the passionate preachers of democracy and freedom to the orange, rose and cedar revolutions which they had engineered with greenbacks and rent-a-crowds in contrast to the grassroots uprisings in Tunisia, Mishre, Yemen et al. One can only hope that peoples' revolutions of North Africa and West Asia will not be smothered once again by western moneybags.
It was little Tunisia, which initiated the moment, followed by Egypt and in all circumstances expected to spread across the rest of the Arab region, with similar Theocratic establishments. Now, before romanticizing such a prolific revolt that has captured the attention of millions around the world (thanks to Al Jazzeera and Facebook), the disturbing report was that thousands of Tunisians had cheered at the airport on the arrival of a former radical islamist preacher. It would be better for a democracy like India to voice its solidarity to the people of Egypt for their fight, while also keeping in mind that they don't turn this present glory into a future debacle by electing an Islamist government like Muslim Brotherhood.
It is truly incredible that the US and West selectively urge Countries to become democratic. The entire Islamic World has authoritarian regimes and yet US lectures Iran only. Dumping a lot of aid or ignoring gross injustice, merely because these regimes promote secularism or support the West's global agenda, is a sure recipe for disaster. Why is the West surprised? It is a shame that $ 2 billion is dished out to Egypt, merely to support the US policy towards Israel. Why does the US not ask Mubarak to account for the funds? People around the World have become savy in channeling their frustration and anger. The game is over for Mubarak and infact the whole of west Asia.
US dominated Israel peace process will deter if we have change of guard in Egypt. At this terror point of time, it is not good for entire world. Israel and Palenstine even though small in size, their religion sentiment carries the religion based terror through out the world. So peace in Egypt is needed at this point of time. Powerful financial package with help of USA could resolve the problem.
"An impoverished nation has given a stunning, most heartening & moving demostration of their faith in democracy by rebuffing the clarion call of dictators & despots all over the globe that bread & butter must be at the cost of freedom" wrote the Los Angeles Chronicle in March 1977 when our own {then} emergency regime was thrown out & the first Non Congress government installed at New Delhi. Pres Obama said much the same thing last Friday! Then, why is his government soft pedalling the issue? Why not just ask Mubarak to go? 'You have sat there long enough for any good that you may have done so far' said the Tories' Minister to Neville Chamberlain in 1939 -
Today BBC news showed the most luxurious villa of Gamal Mubarak in Knightsbridge in London & hinted that Mubarak may have stashed away cloose to 25 BILLION Pounds Sterling. Means that the US AID of the past 15-20 years have gone where it would with such dictators unchecked by any democratic checks & balances. Is this the kind of bulwark that the US & Pres Obama want as security against the fundamentalists? Then GOD SAVE USA
The recent repression in Egypt was always on the cards after a successful agitation in Tunisia.The Tunisia repression had just acted as a spark for the age old anger and dissatisfaction of the people of Egypt. The foreign policies of the west towards the Arab world has always been questionable. The US has been crying loud to establish democracy in Mynmaar and on the same time has been secretly supporting the Arab dictators for decades. The stand of US seems to be more selfish than as a world power who act without inhibitions for world peace and human rights.
Now as the citizens of Egypt taken to streets for a change, the onus to bring about a democracy in Egypt also lies with Washington.The Tunisia movement has become a model and inspiration for the people of Arab world .Tunisia has shown that no matter how strong or old the dictatorship,citizens make the country not the rulers.Hence if not on paper or constitution but democracy prevails.
The authoritarian governments which have been ruling some of the Arab countries are seeing the dusk of the day. Their poor governance coupled with authoritarian values is of no use to the modern Arab people. Moreover, these governments have been acting as puppets of US for it's own interest.
In turn, such diplomacy has been affecting the peace in the region. Time has come for change in governance in Arab countries, which will affect the Muslim world in a greater way.
The strategy is very simple. The Americans need another friendly country, to stay put in the Middle East.
If it can be closer, to Israel border, the better. It was not for nothing that they have encouraged and propelled Egypt to sign peace accord with Israel.
The Americans, who went to Afghanistan, to smoke out Osama bin Laden, are only seeing trillions of dollars going up in flames. They are not willing to accept that Iraq invasion is a flawed strategy.
Saudi Arabia, which is the nerve centre, for fundamentalists, is playing a Cat and Mouse game, by funding Islamist militants and at the same time, opposing terror in its home.
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