Crisis in Egypt

[Vigilate]

I don't know how many people here have been following the series of political events in North Africa over the past week, but to say the least, things are starting to get interesting. After the Tunsinians ousted their corrupt president last week, the groundwork has been set for potential revolution in Egypt. This may or may not be good thing, though. Even though he has been ruling under "emergency powers" since 1981 as more or less a president for life, he is more or a benevolent dictator than a ruthless tyrant like Kim Jon Il. He has made sure that radical Islam does not control Egypt and has given some protection against violence to Christian minorities. At the same time, he has successfully maintained the peace with Israel for almost thirty years. Overall, I would say that he's far from the worst President-for-Life.

It should be said that I personally love the idea of individual liberty. It would be a fairytale dream if every country had the freedom to elect its leaders and not be be tyrannical in nature, but the realist in me knows that democracy has tended to completely fall flat on its face in most places. If one looks at the majority of revolutions throughout history, one gets a very bleak picture in terms of the fact that most revolutions have replaced despots that looked like angels in comparison to their successors. This is especially evident in the Middle East's modern history with the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The Shah's monarchy was replaced with a radical theocracy lead by the Ayatollah who implemented Sharia Law. So don't criticize me when I say that skeptical about how much freedom a revolution in Egypt will bring.

It might make me seem like a globalist, but the stability in Egypt is of international concern. If a government similar to Iran's were to come to power in Egypt, the entire region could erupt in war. The peace between Egypt and Israel took a great deal of diplomacy to craft. If a new government forms and views Israel the same way Iran views Israel, the possibility of war is extremely likely. Such a war could easily shut down the Suez Canal which a vital trade route for the West. With a shutdown of the Suez, one is also looking at oil prices on par with the mid-1970s when OPEC enforced an embargo on the west due to the Yom Kippur War.

The current situation in Egypt is already on par with the Iranian riots from last summer. Yesterday, Facebook and Twitter were blocked, reports of live rounds being fired by police were heard, and the son, daughter in-law, and granddaughter of President fled Egypt for the UK. Today's reports are growing even more dim. The internet has been completely shut off, members of the Muslim Brotherhood have joined in the protests, and reports are coming in that revolution might spread to Jordan next. Egypt and the Middle East are currently on the war towards heating up.

I'm hoping at the moment that war does not result from this situation and that the Egyptians are able to get a moderate government that allows freedoms, but I will not be surprised if the peace in the region is thrown out the window and an even more repressive theocracy takes the current government's place.

UPDATE:
President of Egypt will be firing his entire government and will be appointing a new government on Saturday.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/28...pt=T1&iref=BN1

[Sirath]

As an arab guy who lives in the middle east I can easily say that such revolution probably won't effect the middle east at all... Even though tons of citizens go out and express their views loudly nothing actually happens than showing support to the poor people who get effected by the outcomes. The Tunis revolution was a looong time coming. It was too corrupted and its about time they did something about it. I've personally been to Egypt a couple of times and I can say that they arn't likely to follow the radical islam countries like Saudi or Iran. They would like to clean the corruption within the government that is making the country poor. Egypt has a lot of potential but the government isn't ready to spend money on it. Hence why after such a long time they want to take action. its more for their right and their well being than anything related to Israel or anything even though there was such heavy tension between them.

[splifone]

who wants to bet the USA will get involved?

[4KhazModan]

I hope they overthrow Mubarak. The difference between the poor and the rich is ridiculous in Egypt. Hopefully they will install a gov't that will give back to the people. Socialism isn't a bad thing.

[Feel The Power]

who wants to bet the USA will get involved?

Just let us come in and fix it guys, we promise Haliburton won't steal the pyramids.

[splifone]

Just let us come in and fix it guys, we promise Haliburton won't steal the pyramids.

did they find the ark of the covenant yet? o_O

[Iannis]

Shouldn't this thread be renamed "Crisis in Uldum?"

[Daerth]

who wants to bet the USA will get involved?

So low.... but so QFT....

[xxf2dxx]

I'm kinda glad things are going on in Egypt. Mainly because who the hell ever hears anything about Egypt? No one. FINALLY THEY SHINE THROUGH! BLAZE ON MY EGYPTIAN HOMIES. BLAZE ON.

---------- Post added 2011-01-27 at 08:35 PM ----------

who wants to bet the USA will get involved?

I heard Egypt lacks oil. I doubt it.

[Toho]

the country i want to be politically cleansed is Saudi Arabia, as for Egypt they have in a state of turmoil for quite a while so i don't see this dying down as fast as the Iranian one

[splifone]

I'm kinda glad things are going on in Egypt. Mainly because who the hell ever hears anything about Egypt

what are you talkin about? theirs mummys N pyrmids and the tol'vir and what not

[Fuzzzie]

Try to keep the posting on topic please.

[furtivegain]

I don't care what they do. I'm not enlisted and am too old for the draft now, as the US just can't keep its nose and dollars of the middle east.

Pretty sure Israel can handle any situation in the region as they out tech every country there by decades.

[Badpaladin]

who wants to bet the USA will get involved?

We've got loads of problems with our economy right now, we can't afford playing World Police(badly, might I add) with another country.

[Sirath]

the country i want to be politically cleansed is Saudi Arabia, as for Egypt they have in a state of turmoil for quite a while so i don't see this dying down as fast as the Iranian one

The sad part The king there is trying to change its the religious radicals that are making things tough they have power and they arn't willing to let go of it. They are corrupted. Things are tough to change but he is trying. But I certainly hope things change. I've been to Saudi plenty of times and i hate going there due to the rules and situation...

[Deleted]

Egyptians are bit silly. They have a lot of space in the desert but they still throw all the trash in Nile.

I don't actually mind what happens in the other countries, but damn I sure as hell am not planning on going to Cairo this summer anymore.

[Deleted]

Pfft, the government should've just given everyone a 42" TV with cable . No one would've bothered to go out and protest *cough*likeinunitedstates*cough*

Too late now - Fools!

[dakoeda]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12303564

The government has warned of "decisive measures". There has been disruption to internet and mobile phone services.

The goverment just provoked the fury of a whole legion of nerds... this cant end well.

[Povertus]

thanks I was just like.. Imma watch the news..

But than I was like O noes.

Edit : Sarcasm.

[dakoeda]

So an oppressive regime with a strong religious influence opened fire on protesters. Is that news ?

No, they shut down the freakin interwebz!