Egyptian Elections 2011 – So, How’s That Egyptian Revolution Coming Along? – Esquire
History tells us that when revolutions sweep into power, they often go crazy with it. As it is, the drawn-out parliamentary elections will slowly but surely build up a significant civilian power base that stands in opposition to continued military rule while being realistic enough to bargain with the military about what comes next. Yes, much will depend on how that presidential election process unfolds, but the military hovering over the proceedings will — again — not be such a bad thing, because the generals want a player with whom they can deal and who won’t be a creature of the Brotherhood. Will the U.S. end up loving that compromised candidate? Probably not, but he will reflect a kind of rough balance of power in the system between the Islamists and the military. And that’ll be enough for now.
Soon enough, all three of these power bases (parliament, president, military) will be subjected to all manner of unrealistic (if legitimate) popular demands for Egypt’s rapid economic improvement. And ultimately, that’s what we in the West want this revolution to morph into: a key pillar of the Arab world successfully (enough) embracing globalization’s weave of political challenges and economic empowerment. A post-Mubarak Egypt “lost” to that vast endeavor won’t be the problem we imagine it to be.
The Arab Spring is faltering again!
Complete and utter nonsense. Tunisia’s recent vote was heartening in a similar fashion, and, hey, that rat-bastard Gaddafi is dead.
Meanwhile, look around the region: Syria’s nasty Bashar Assad is looking ever more wobbly, with the Arab League sanctioning his regime, Turkey calling for his ouster, and even Beijing (!) chiming in about the need to move on. The Gulf Cooperation Council monarchies, while baring their teeth, are likewise moving fitfully toward reforms that aim to quell their own people’s demand for progressive change. More generally, Turkey’s influence is rising throughout the region while Iran’s seems decidedly curtailed.
Look: All of this is messy. We rarely get change the way we want it. But this rollercoaster is moving, so shut up, buckle yourself in, and wave your arms above your head, because this is gonna be one helluva long ride ahead.
Not a single vote for Cheney ….and you say things are going well in Egypt ????