The American Dilemma

The Arab Spring has extended its legacy from Tahrir Square in Cairo to Independence Square in Kiev, where a Ukrainian Spring has been ignited. There the ruling regime is falling: The elected president, Viktor Yanukovich, has been deposed and is now summoned by the courts — an act ratified by parliament — on charges of murder, terrorism and corruption. This occurred after he refused to engage in an early election, disregarding the lawful and democratic demands of the people.

Ukrainian aviation authorities barred the president’s jet from leaving Ukrainian airspace, and so he fled Kiev via sea to the eastern borders in the Crimea region. He then dismissed his guards so they would not follow him, and disappeared! It is likely he will cross the nearby border into Russia … but his actions will become apparent at a later date.

Here we might discuss the resemblance between Egypt and Ukraine, as well as the contradictory aspects of the U.S. stance toward both these nations! Egypt is a central and pivotal nation in the Arab homeland and the Middle East; it possesses the most powerful military in the area — the 14th largest in the world and the largest in the Arab region as of 2013. It also holds a strategic position between the Red and Mediterranean Seas, connecting them through the Suez Canal, and is one of the primary nations facing Israel.

Similarly, Ukraine has the second most powerful military in Europe, after Russia. It is Europe’s gateway to Russia and the Black Sea, and the primary passageway for Russian natural gas into Western Europe. The most important Soviet nuclear facilities were concentrated in Ukraine prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, and it leases one of its Black Sea ports in Sevastopol to Russia’s Black Sea fleet. It is also a breadbasket and steel producer for Europe and the Middle East.

The contradictions in the U.S. stances toward Egypt and Ukraine are unjustified, despite the resemblance between the countries’ circumstances and the escalation of events, and the fact that the people in both nations opposed the ruling regime after their respective presidents refused early elections. After June 30, the U.S. stance toward Egypt was one of bewilderment and hesitancy: The White House was against what happened, in contrast to a majority in Congress, while the State Department was torn. But in the case of Ukraine, let’s see what National Security Adviser Ms. Susan Rice had to say in a communication with Putin: “It’s not in the interest of Ukraine or of Russia or of Europe or of the United States to see a country split.” As if Washington wanted to temper the violence! Or if it wanted constitutional changes and democratic presidential elections as soon as possible, with the assistance of interim president Turchynov in a democratic fashion! Is that not what Egypt did, and is doing?

Then on top of that comes an announcement of U.S. and European financial support from international funds, in addition to support from some individual European nations such as Britain and Germany. And after all this, the interim Ukrainian government announced that it will require $35 billion immediately! However, the international reaction to Egypt was the opposite, and U.S. aid was frozen! So does the U.S. view its interests and credibility in Eastern Europe and Ukraine as preferable to those in the Middle East and Egypt, even though its support for Ukraine may ignite a new Cold War?

Egypt lives free, powerful and secure!