The Turmoil in Egypt

[AGBF]

The turmoil in Egypt seems inescapable; the intense chaos in the streets has been going on for nearly an entire week and other countries are trying to help their nationals to leave. The United States is attempting to remove its diplomats for their own safety. Today former President Jimmy Carter called the situation, "earth shattering". The current consensus seems to be that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will be unable to ride out the storm and will have to leave office. Exactly what the future holds for Egypt, whether or not there will be democracy, remains to be seen.

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

2011 might well be for Northern-Africa what 1989 was for Eastern-Europe.

Big difference: no organized opposition and hardly a chance of future membership of the European Union.

Once again, it might be an example of "It's the end of the world as we know it".

 

[AGBF]

2011 might well be for Northern-Africa what 1989 was for Eastern-Europe.

Paul, I have heard allusions to 1989 made by people in the United States, too. Some have predicted that various countries will (or may) follow Tunisia and Egypt. Among the candidates mentioned are (but are not limited to): Libya; Algeria; Morocco; and Saudi Arabia. It seems hard for me to imagine revolution in Saudi Arabia, but perhaps it is possible. The oil workers there are certainly oppressed!

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[AGBF]

Whoops! I forgot to mention Jordan!!! And I just read that King Abdullah dismissed his cabinet! That has certainly been one of the countries that everyone has been mentioning was vulnerable to revolution!!!

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

AGBF,

It indeed are interesting times.

If I remember my history-lessons correctly, the French revolution of 1789 also caused a series of similar events in other European countries.

Somehow, 'revolution' is probably linked to a combination of other events, like an economic downturn and developments in information-sharing.

For them to succeed in the sense of creating a better society, that also depends upon factors like economic support. I hope that, if indeed more regimes are toppled in the next weeks, Europe and the US will find the courage to set up a beneficial economic support-system for those countries. It will improve our future too.

Live long,

 

[CherryBlossom]

It's really amazing that all this is happening. We are witnessing the world changing.

It's not just Egypt either, the president of Yemen (also considered an oppressive dictator) has finally announced (after so many years of rule) that he's not seeking re-election. The government of Kuwait has announced that they are going to give thousands of $$$ to each citizen. The rulers of Jordan have said that reform is now necessary. Things are changing and this is going to effect the entire landscape of the Middle East... and thus the world.

 

[AGBF]

If I remember my history-lessons correctly, the French revolution of 1789 also caused a series of similar events in other European countries.

Actually, I think the American revolution in 1776 inspired the French revolution in 1789, although the ideas behind both of them were, of course, inspirational and not limited to one nation or one continent! Many Frenchmen were instrumental in the American revolution.

The revolutions of 1848 in Europe also spread. Ideas spread. People communicate with each other and ideas cannot be quashed. Thank goodness.

But I agree with you, Paul, that the developed countries have it within their power to help or hinder the developing nations.

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[AGBF]

I really didn't think it would come to this: supposedly President Hosni Mubarak has left Cairo. I, like everyone else, was surprised that in his speech the other night he announced that he would remain in office. Frankly, I am more surprised that he has left Cairo. He must really fear for his life. This is the man who has sworn he would die in Egypt.

Deb/AGBF


Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

 

[meresal]

They won. Mubarak has handed over power to the army.

Wow.

I don't really have an opinion on the whole thing as I don't know much about it other than the fight for democracy, but this has been incredible to watch. To see an entire nation, millions of people gathering for one cause, and to see them stand for this long to get it. True power of the people.

 

[AGBF]

They won. Mubarak has handed over power to the army.

Wow.

I don't really have an opinion on the whole thing as I don't know much about it other than the fight for democracy, but this has been incredible to watch. To see an entire nation, millions of people gathering for one cause, and to see them stand for this long to get it. True power of the people.

I guess the big question is: what's next? The people "won" in the sense that they got Mubarak out, but that doesn't mean that they will have democracy!

Deb/AGBF

 

[HollyS]

They won. Mubarak has handed over power to the army.

Wow.

I don't really have an opinion on the whole thing as I don't know much about it other than the fight for democracy, but this has been incredible to watch. To see an entire nation, millions of people gathering for one cause, and to see them stand for this long to get it. True power of the people.

I guess the big question is: what's next? The people "won" in the sense that they got Mubarak out, but that doesn't mean that they will have democracy!

Deb/AGBF

You can almost guarantee that there will not be democracy . . . in the long run. Or, maybe even the short run.

 

[risingsun]

They won. Mubarak has handed over power to the army.

Wow.

I don't really have an opinion on the whole thing as I don't know much about it other than the fight for democracy, but this has been incredible to watch. To see an entire nation, millions of people gathering for one cause, and to see them stand for this long to get it. True power of the people.

I guess the big question is: what's next? The people "won" in the sense that they got Mubarak out, but that doesn't mean that they will have democracy!

Deb/AGBF

You can almost guarantee that there will not be democracy . . . in the long run. Or, maybe even the short run.

I agree that it is highly unlikely that there will be democratic governments in these countries. There have been a number of interesting articles about the probability of a significant decrease in women's rights if a non secular faction should--and I believe will--become the governing bodies. Yes, there will be change. We may find ourselves with even less stability in these regions. For the sake of political correctness, world leaders have remained silent, for many years, about an accurate assessment of the situation in the middle east. We shall see what happens next.