A 'made in U.S.A.' tear gas canister. Symbols are important, and this is the wrong image for America.
Over the past few days, the Obama administration has blown an opportunity to get ahead of events. The best it can do now is acknowledge what is already clear: the Mubarak regime is finished. If we are lucky, dictatorship in Egypt may also be nearing its end. For millions of people who have only known despotism, democracy is within reach.
And what has been the response of the Obama administration? Dithering diplomatic blather. Afraid to offend anyone, Obama has confirmed the suspicions of cynics across that Middle East—that when America talks about government by the people, it’s just empty rhetoric.
I don’t envy Obama’s situation. He surely has the Saudis and Israelis breathing down his neck. Moreover, the risks are real. A leaderless revolution can easily descend into chaos, or be hijacked by demagogic opportunists. What is clear is that whatever form the new Egyptian regime takes, it will be less pro-American, less stable, and more antipathetic towards Israel. It will likely contain Islamist elements.
Regardless, the US needs to make clear that it stands on the side of freedom and democracy. The only way to do that is to say, publicly, that it’s time for Mubarak to go. Saying a bunch of nonsense about needing a “national dialogue” (as Clinton did) is a tone-deaf embarrassment. I usually admire Obama for his patience and prudence. But leadership also means knowing when to be bold, and this is one of those times.
There is an argument that this is an Egyptian affair, and that Obama should stay out of it. That was the case, or instance, during the “Green” protests in Iran. But America doesn’t have the luxury of not expressing an opinion about a regime that it subsidized for four decades.
The Mubarak regime is going to fall, sooner than later. And when dictators do fall, the people who replace them remember who their backers were. This is America’s chance to redeem itself.
Obama, in his speech to the Egyptian people on Friday, told Mubarak to “give meaning to your words.” The Obama administration should do the same, and take a clear stand in favor of the Egyptian people.
- Jon
And what has been the response of the Obama administration? Dithering diplomatic blather. Afraid to offend anyone, Obama has confirmed the suspicions of cynics across that Middle East—that when America talks about government by the people, it’s just empty rhetoric.
I don’t envy Obama’s situation. He surely has the Saudis and Israelis breathing down his neck. Moreover, the risks are real. A leaderless revolution can easily descend into chaos, or be hijacked by demagogic opportunists. What is clear is that whatever form the new Egyptian regime takes, it will be less pro-American, less stable, and more antipathetic towards Israel. It will likely contain Islamist elements.
Regardless, the US needs to make clear that it stands on the side of freedom and democracy. The only way to do that is to say, publicly, that it’s time for Mubarak to go. Saying a bunch of nonsense about needing a “national dialogue” (as Clinton did) is a tone-deaf embarrassment. I usually admire Obama for his patience and prudence. But leadership also means knowing when to be bold, and this is one of those times.
There is an argument that this is an Egyptian affair, and that Obama should stay out of it. That was the case, or instance, during the “Green” protests in Iran. But America doesn’t have the luxury of not expressing an opinion about a regime that it subsidized for four decades.
The Mubarak regime is going to fall, sooner than later. And when dictators do fall, the people who replace them remember who their backers were. This is America’s chance to redeem itself.
Obama, in his speech to the Egyptian people on Friday, told Mubarak to “give meaning to your words.” The Obama administration should do the same, and take a clear stand in favor of the Egyptian people.
- Jon
