Demands for emancipation of the Egyptian people have been resonating through Tahrir Square in Cairo this week, resulting in at least 105 reported casualties, a turbulent atmosphere and an uncertain future for the country. Millions are calling to oust president Hosni Mubarak, whose 30-year continuous rule has been named undemocratic and repressive. Despite this unprecedented cry for change, Egypt has played both a stable and peaceful role in Middle Eastern politics under Mubarak. With Egypt’s political future unknown, some say this sudden uprising may prove to be a double-edged sword for both the West and the Middle East.
Internally, Egypt has been under state of emergency law since 1967, banning manifestations and most political opposition. The military and police have been characterized by extreme brutality and poor human rights awareness, with more than 500 documented cases of torture between 1993 and 2007. Stemming from woes and frustration of indifferent government policies and corruption, as well as the grim economic situation in Egypt (with 40 percent of Egypt’s population earning roughly $2 per day), workers and the unemployed have been clashing against military forces in protest against the government, demanding unequivocally the immediate resignation of President Mubarak.
Mubarak has acquiesced to fire the government and stated he will not run again for presidency come summer, but as of the first week of February, Egyptian protesters have not accepted his terms and would only agree to his removal.
The turn of events leads many to question the area’s security. Until last week, Egypt had been considered to be the most reliable Arab ally of the United States, receiving millions in aid every year. With a dense population of 80 million people and situated near Middle Eastern conflicts, Egypt has served as a positive anchor for international diplomatic efforts in the area, primarily the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During March 1979, in Washington, D.C., previous Egyptian president Anwaar El Sadat signed a peace treaty with the State of Israel, thus ending a belligerent history since Israel’s establishment. Forty-two years later, Egypt has remained Israel’s main ally in the Middle East and has assisted Israel in blocking the route of ammunition smuggled through Sinai into the Gaza Strip. This area has been controlled by Hamas since recent elections (indicated as a terrorist organization by the international community). Egypt and Jordan, currently both seem to be on an imminent brink of political revolution, are the only predominantly Muslim countries with which Israel maintains diplomatic relations.
As Mubarak’s popularity declines and the situation exacerbates, a notorious political figure otherwise known as the Muslim Brotherhood is attracting attention in Egypt. It was founded as an opposition party in far Ismailia, Egypt, and has since gained great influence motivated by Islamist principles and fundamentalist doctrine. Outlawed several times in Egypt by Mubarak and his predecessors, recent turmoil may be the opportune moment the Brotherhood has been wanting for years: to seize significant power in the Egyptian parliament. The Muslim Brotherhood operates in several other countries as well, like Syria, whose authoritarian president Bashaar Al Assad is sought to be removed by some activists inspired by the recent coups d’etat affecting the Arab world.
While many world leaders have taken sides with the demonstrators and condemned military violence, it is unknown whether the new regime in Egypt will remain a close Western ally and retain its friendly approach. During his terms in office, former U.S. President Bush endeavored to promote democracy in Pakistan, Iraq and the Gaza Strip by instating free elections, which have been mostly unfruitful after radical Islamist movements like Hamas were elected democratically. As the West desperately tries to cling to its moderate Muslim allies, it is a question of whether the Arab World is capable of electing leaders who will set the Middle East in a peaceful direction.
Gal Koren is a 19-year-old computer science major at Bar Illan University. He lives in Kiryat Ono, Israel.
 
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