Egypt's Dangerous Turn
One of the fears that everyone has had -- the worse case scenario -- is that Hosni Mubarak would try to hang on to power in Egypt. Although he has promised not to run in an upcoming election and has seemingly abandoned the idea of passing on rule to his son, Gamal, he doesn't seem ready to actually move the country away from autocratic rule.
Reports are out now that "pro-Mubarak" protests have emerged, and that "supporters" have attacked the protesters in Cairo. Although I'm sure that Mubarak has his supporters, especially those whose lives are intertwined with his regime, most analysts have noted that much of this "support" comes from paid thugs. We all know that autocratic and dictatorial governments have ways of staging counter protests or shows of support for the government. The Soviets were masters of it. The Nazi's knew how to do it. So, we should not be swayed by this sudden show of support for Mubarak.
It is time for Mubarak to go, and it's time for the US government to end its support for his regime, whose military is propped up by our largess. I understand the realities of the situation. The pragmatist/realist side of me wants to see stability. But propping up a dying government will not preserve stability, it will only further undermine it, and as in Iran, allow more radical elements to co-opt it.
Mubarak -- it's time to go.
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Cynical, I know.