Can Egyptians do it?

[mrstickball]

Rath said:

ssj12 said:

mrstickball said:

Fully mixed feelings.

On one end, Egypt was a pretty benevolent dictatorship. Honsi Mubarak was certainly imperfect, but given his peers in the region, he looked like a saint: Made peace with Israel, never attacked anyone, never let the terrorists have their way in the region, and is generally (in my view) 'good'.

On the other end...It was still an authoritarian government, which likely was not the will of the people.

I worry what will become of this. I pray to God that if there is a revolution, they get a secular, Turkey-like Democracy that will strengthen ties with the west, and let people live in peace, and be very moderate to liberal for a Muslim-dominated state.

However, it seems that revolutions in the middle east are rarely a good thing :-

Worst yet, they are second or third in terms of US military support and aid. I would hate to see their M1 tanks turn on Israel, Turkey or other sane powers in the region.

1. Why is that a good thing?

Peace with Israel is the only long term hope for a stable Middle-East. Both the Arabs and Israel are going to be around for quite a long time.

2. Why is that a bad thing?

I'd hope that would be obvious. Also the Egyptians wouldn't stand a chance.

 

Pretty much that. I'd like to see a co-habitative Middle East where Jews and Muslims aren't always at eachother's throats. If Egypt attacked Israel, you'd see a lot of death, ending with Egypt losing again.