Egyptian Coup an Example of "Democracy of Interests"

Without Washington’s orchestration and assent, the Egyptian military would not have dared act so brazenly, abducting and placing the country’s first democratically elected president under house arrest. No matter how the army tries to claim it is acting on behalf of the people, it cannot hide the reality of a coup d’état. However, because the coupists had an understanding with Washington and the acting president currently suits Washington’s taste, the world’s policeman will not call the coup what it is. According to United States law, it is illegal to aid the government of any country that has deposed its formally elected head of state through a military coup. But by not calling a spade a spade, the U.S. government can maximize its interests. This highlights America’s shifting standards and its pursuit of “democracy of interests.”

The Egyptians are an ill-fated people. As early as 2011, it suffered from the disease of democracy planted by the U.S. Since then, it elected a president democratically, per America’s intent. But because Mohamed Morsi did not toe the U.S. line, he was ousted by the U.S.-supplied military. Although the U.S initially supported Morsi after his victory in last year’s election, the fact that the Muslim Brotherhood held a majority of seats in parliament was less than optimal to U.S. interests led to his being red-carded from the game. A similar example is Saddam Hussein of Iraq, whom the U.S. initially favored and praised as a champion of democracy, but was subsequently sent to the gallows once he no longer maximized U.S. interests.

No Peace for Tahrir Square Thanks to the White House

It matters not whether an idea is fair, reasonable or lawful — as long as it serves U.S. interests, Washington will do everything in its power to pursue it. For the sake of achieving the greatest gain at the least cost, the U.S. supports opposition movements of almost every government in the world. Whether it’s in Asia, Europe, Africa or Central and South America, as soon as a group is found to be opposing the government, the CIA immediately leaps into action, offering encouragement as well as economic and military aid. The U.S. also actively promotes internal rivalries within national governments and supports pro-U.S. elites and media in constantly creating appalling news, ultimately achieving victory without firing a shot. Thanks to the CIA’s schemes, Cairo’s Tahrir Square has known no peace in recent years.

Even if there are large-scale protests against a nation’s government, to overthrow an elected president clearly contradicts America’s oft-touted democratic values. But not to worry, the White House is highly adept at using word games to defuse opposition and deflect questions from the media. If Washington has the ability to instigate street protests at Tahrir Square, then it certainly has the power to prop up a military junta against the mob. The sad part is that as soon as Egypt’s government does not satisfy Washington’s demands, it will be mired in never-ending conflict. Of course, the loser in this situation is the Egyptian people. Thus, Egypt’s government can only follow the White House’s orders, since whatever means Washington employs to enforce its obedience will be portrayed as democracy. In America’s naked pursuit of its geopolitical ambitions, human rights and democracy are but tools of the game.

White House Backing Emboldens Egyptian Army

Egypt is an ancient civilization which has been a steadfast U.S. ally in the Middle East. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East and the Arab world. In 2003, Hosni Mubarak opposed George W. Bush’s Iraq War being launched without evidence, a move which garnered widespread approval in the Arab world but enraged Washington. This spurred the White House to put Egypt on its list of recalcitrant governments and begin planning a “democratic revolution.” CIA agents proceeded to plant the disease of democracy in Egypt and energetically supported the opposition. Washington then condemned Cairo as an undemocratic despotic regime with no respect for human rights; Mubarak was hence removed from power.

In international politics, nothing is given without the expectation of a return. America’s support for “democracy” in Egypt is motivated only by its own interests, and those of Israel. It is the White House’s “democracy of interests” which emboldened the Egyptian military to abduct Morsi and put him under house arrest. Tahrir Square’s disease of democracy is but one more of the Middle East’s color revolutions. As for why America would turn against its own democratic principles, it is simply because the elected governments that were toppled did not serve American interests. That is to say, American-style democracy is but a tool for maximizing its own gains, to be used when expedient but otherwise cast aside. In this way, Washington can ensure Egypt stays on the “right” democratic track.