The Boiling Point Posted by Shadi Hamid

How you feel about the following YouTube video probably says something about how you feel about the broader effort to promote Middle East democracy. Watch this and it may become clear to you. My own sentiments were clarified. The Egyptian people, as it is often said, are cautious, "passive," and not particularly prone to taking to the streets. But this may be changing. The scene below is remarkable. In a society where every word and move is permeated with fear, here you have a significant number of people in full public view making their anger known, doing something very, very dangerous. It is also perhaps a signal of the unfolding tragedy to come. Meanwhile, America watches and does nothing. When the boiling point comes (and, unless you think dictatorship is permanent, it will), it will likely be too late. But it is not too late yet. There is still time to act.

 

Comments

[peace]

The United States has to presure the Egyptian government to have a Jordanian type constitution in which the radicals have somewhat of a say in the running of the government and thereby take some of the blame when things go badly. If United States does nothing, the Egyptian goevernment then runs the risk of being overthrown by radicals. If this happens a major war between Egypy and Israel will be likely and this could be very dangerous due to the fact that Israel has a stockpile nuclear weapons.