Egypt: Change without War

Obama Can Do in Egypt What Bush Failed to Do in Iraq

Huffington Post

by Martin Varsavky

Egyptians fought bravely, ousted Mubarak and gave power to the military. But it turns out that USA effectively controls the Egyptian Army. It financed it, trained it and should it go into conflict with it, it can easily defeat it. So Egyptian people, whether they are aware of this or not, gave considerable power to USA. In Latin America and other parts of the world, giving power to a US backed military regime would have been seen as a huge step back in time. So this situation must change quickly and in favor of the Egyptian people. It could also change in favor of US and EU foreign policy in the region.

Egyptians deserve speedy and easy visibility on how democracy will be instituted. Also USA has to be very careful not to be associated with the Egyptian military, but instead with the democratic forces which hopefully will take power. It also needs to help prevent the brewing of another Mubarak from inside the military, an Egyptian version of a Hugo Chavez. Chavez, after trying to take power as a military leader, changed clothes and took power through elections.
The Egyptian people, USA, EU, President Obama and Hillary Clinton in particular, can emerge as winners in this revolution, but there are many obstacles ahead. So far the role of USA has been pretty questionable. But there is a better way...more