Egypt.

[Fraser]

So the "people's revolution" has thrown out the "dictator" Mubarak. Now the military is running the show. Doesn't that make the head of the military the new dictator? Isn't this back where the whole dictatorship thing started in Egypt when army ousted the king in 1952?

I know the military has promised free and fair democratic elections but how long will it take and what will happen in the meantime?

Isn't the western media getting a little ahead of itself with all the euphoria?

[PersonaNonGrata]

So often it's a case of trading one for the other. I had heard that Mubarak had a very friendly, or at least cooperative relationship with Israel and that is one of the reasons he was ousted. Given that and the momentum forces like the Muslim Brotherhood have, one would think it could lead to more such revolutions and anti-Israel/American sentiment.

(Moving this thread to the Politics Forum.)

[Dannyell]

Been following this on Al Jazeera english and Russia Today news channels

I doubt this had 'revolution' had anything to do with Israel...Yes the relationship might change between the two countries but hopefully new deals will be made regarding the Palestinian state and etc.

U hear what people had to say about Mubarak...how parents don't want their kids living the same life...

Anyway I praised the way the Egyptian army handled things given the proportions of this event

[Thunder22]

I rarely participate in politics threads, but in this case I have to say that I was incredibly impressed that the population of a middle eastern county could protest their government like human beings without instigating violence or calling for a religious jihad in order to better their lives.

[Thunder22]

btw- I thought that this was funny:

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

btw- I thought that this was funny:

I say we do it! Imagine us riding into Washington, D.C. astride camels. I'm down if you are.

[Weasel]

Ha! That is pretty great.

[Weasel]

Wait, don't we have a forum member from Egypt? Can't remember the name off the top of my head but we haven't heard from him in a while... bet he could shed tons of light on the situation and first hand accounts of the goings on.

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Wait, don't we have a forum member from Egypt? Can't remember the name off the top of my head but we haven't heard from him in a while... bet he could shed tons of light on the situation and first hand accounts of the goings on.

That would be interesting.

[TheGodfather]

I do not like the shortsighted viewpoints in the States and Canada.

Democracy is great, when the population is not enroute to supporting extremist Islamist parties.

What was once one of the most stable and "pro" west Muslim countries in the world, may now become governed by closeted Ahmadinejad supporters (well perhaps not, because he is Shia Muslim.)

Control over Egypt is ripe for the picking. All they need is a charismatic leader to start spewing Egyptian nationalism and anti American sentiments.

In the meantime (till perhaps September elections occur) the military (AKA Mubarak's political party) might devise a corrupt plan to ensure they have influence in the next ruling party.

Clearly, this is all based upon the idea that the Egyptians will easily be caught up in this new found national pride. The youths minds are like sponges ready to soak up what their so called next "democratically" elected party has to preach.

This is a selfish view. When asked the question how does Egypts "liberation" from a stable, safe, dictatorship help the rest of the world? The middle east? I think these events have possibly hindered progression in muslim nations.

I am all over the place here, I will leave off by saying that Egypts new found freedom would be great if we knew for sure that the next ruling regime would be truly democratic (unlikely) and have modern ideals, that make a point to separate religion and state (unlikely.)