On Egypt

One hopes that there is an end to the daily and deadly clashes between the supporters of pro-democracy and of Morsy. Perhaps, the Egyptian Army is doing the right thing, under the present circumstances. The world seems to be missing out a significant development here — while a majority of people in predominantly Islamic countries are keen to be identified as craving for democracy, countries in India’s neighbourhood continue to have faith in old-age traditions.

K.V. Raghuram,Wayanad

The military has made the euphoria over the Arab Spring short-lived. Political power must flow through the ballot box and not through the barrel of a gun.

The significance of Egypt’s geographical location, Israel’s perception of the Egyptian military as a bulwark of stability in the region and its influence on the U.S.’s stance on the conflict cannot be lost on us. In a display of its inability to reconcile its strategic interests with the moral values it professes, the U.S. has cancelled the annual joint military exercise with the Egyptian army without stopping or cutting the annual military aid and undermined its credibility. The likely ripple effects of the developments in the Arab world and beyond provide an added urgency to taking steps that prevent Egypt from sliding into deeper chaos. The international community must intervene to bring about reconciliation.

G. David Milton,Maruthancode

How can democracy flourish in a country like Egypt where non-military and secular institutions have failed to strike deep roots? The failure of regional alliances like the Arab League and the Organisation of African Unity to play any meaningful role in resolving internal disturbances of member nations has often paved the way for external interference. As far the West is concerned, it is facing a “damned if you do, damned if you do not” kind of a situation. Supporting democratic forces is not always a priority for the West when its interests lie in ensuring oil supplies and preventing the ascendance of extremist elements. The United Nations is hostage to the geopolitical ambitions of the Big Five — the veto wielding powers. Democratising the internal structure of the U.N. is the only way to ensure that the world body can effectively mediate in civil wars and international conflicts.

V.N. Mukundarajan,Thiruvananthapuram

Egypt has remained an enigma shrouded in secrecy from the days of the Pharaohs. The present turmoil compounds the confusion. John Kerry’s equivocal statements substantiate the truth — that the force behind regime changes in quick succession is the United States.

Annadurai Jeeva,Srirangam