Obama Has the Chance to Do in Egypt What Bush Could Not Do in Iraq
The Egyptians have fought valiantly; they have ousted Mubarak and have given the power to the military. But it so happens that the Egyptian army is under significant U.S. control, since it was the U.S. who financed and trained the Egyptians. It is estimated that the U.S. has given $40 billion to the Egyptian army. So the Egyptians, whether they realize it or not, have given the USA quite considerable power during their revolution. In Latin America and other parts of the world, giving more power to a military body that relies on the USA would have meant a giant step backwards. It is for that reason that the situation must change soon, and in favor of the Egyptians. And the best thing that can happen for the United States and the European Union is that this time they are facilitators of progress.
Egyptians deserve a smooth and transparent transition toward democracy, and the United States must be careful to not be seen as associated with the Egyptian military, but rather with democratic forces that — let's hope — take control. The USA also must try to avoid the emergence of another Mubarak, a military man like Hugo Chavez who, after trying to take control militarily, changed his uniform for civilian wear and won control, but who governs like a military man. The Egyptians, the USA, Obama and Clinton can all come out of this revolution winning, but there are still many obstacles to overcome.
After the failure of the rash attempt to promote democracy in Afghanistan and in Iraq, the USA has the chance to do it right in Egypt, while spending much less money: a few billion dollars compared to the trillions of dollars spent on Iraq and Afghanistan. It can set up the stabilization of Egypt and with it prevent the rise of terrorist groups or Hamas, who could emerge as a result of the discontent. Egypt could become what Iraq has never managed to be, but for the time being it continues being per capita one of the poorest countries in the world and urgently needs funds for its stabilization. What the government should do now is prevent the lack of food and make sure to provide the basic necessities to the entire population, and in order to do this it needs the help of the USA and the EU.
Obama can do in Egypt what the neoconservatives attempted — without success — to achieve in Iraq. Help given to Egypt in these times will certainly be noticed worldwide. And lastly — and so that all of us can contribute our bit, as soon as everything calms down — we can slowly begin to consider traveling on vacation to Egypt. And beyond visiting a beautiful country, we will be helping a bit to improve its economy.
Egyptians deserve a smooth and transparent transition toward democracy, and the United States must be careful to not be seen as associated with the Egyptian military, but rather with democratic forces that — let's hope — take control. The USA also must try to avoid the emergence of another Mubarak, a military man like Hugo Chavez who, after trying to take control militarily, changed his uniform for civilian wear and won control, but who governs like a military man. The Egyptians, the USA, Obama and Clinton can all come out of this revolution winning, but there are still many obstacles to overcome.
After the failure of the rash attempt to promote democracy in Afghanistan and in Iraq, the USA has the chance to do it right in Egypt, while spending much less money: a few billion dollars compared to the trillions of dollars spent on Iraq and Afghanistan. It can set up the stabilization of Egypt and with it prevent the rise of terrorist groups or Hamas, who could emerge as a result of the discontent. Egypt could become what Iraq has never managed to be, but for the time being it continues being per capita one of the poorest countries in the world and urgently needs funds for its stabilization. What the government should do now is prevent the lack of food and make sure to provide the basic necessities to the entire population, and in order to do this it needs the help of the USA and the EU.
Obama can do in Egypt what the neoconservatives attempted — without success — to achieve in Iraq. Help given to Egypt in these times will certainly be noticed worldwide. And lastly — and so that all of us can contribute our bit, as soon as everything calms down — we can slowly begin to consider traveling on vacation to Egypt. And beyond visiting a beautiful country, we will be helping a bit to improve its economy.
America doesn’t need anything more than telling new Egyptian winners on the ballot to start with a functioning democracy tagged with the playing rules as one sees in America, U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In this pattern of democracy, judiciary and Election Commission act independently. Political parties are subjected to hold periodic in-house elections and submit annually audited accounts to the Election Commission. This cuts down at the mushroom parties and finally only two viable mainstream parties are left to contest in elections. Both parties should place top priority to creating public awareness that people are the sovereign rulers in democracy. The constitution should guarantee freedom of press and it should stipulate that at no time force would use to suppress peaceful demonstrations. Parliament would make land reforms and legislate to confiscate ill-gotten wealth and give priority to boost economy by liberalizing trade and commerce. There is no need to mess up relations with Israel. Egypt should renew peace with Israel with mutual bilateral agreements. There is no fear now or any time in future for the so-called Islamists grabbing political power as in Iran. Even there in Iran, the regime has lost its credibility as the descendents of the Grandson of the Prophet. One more uprising in Iran would seal the fate of the Iranian theocracy.