Washington's Egyptian Nightmare

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/01/28-7

As I watch events unfolding on the streets of Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt and elsewere in the region I'm reminded of a summer I spent in Egypt studying Arabic language and Middle East politics at The American University in Cairo. For a time I was booked into the upscale Shepheard Hotel (on the Fulbright Commission's dime) on the banks of the Nile in downtown Cairo. Over the course of several weeks I came to know Mohammed, my regular breakfast server, and learned that he had a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering but owing to the abysmal economic situation considered himself fortunate to have any job to support his family.

One morning a young Kuwaiti prince swept in, sat down at an adjacent table and immediately began to berate Mohammed's as if he were a servant. As nearly as I could tell from my rudimentay Arabic he complained about the tea water's temperature, insufficient shine on the silverware and the food's quality. I noticed that Mohammed bowed, accepted this humiliating treatment and profusely apologized to avoid offending this arrogant punk.

After the Kuwaiti left, I asked Mohammed about their exchange and he replied "Yes, that happens quite frequently. These spoiled rich kids from the Gulf come to Cairo to whore around and load up on luxury goods. Yes, it's difficult to be treated this way but I can't afford to lose this job. They can do this way because the oil happens to be under their sand. My hope is that some day we will overthrow all these corrupt regimes, starting with our own, and this democratic movement will spread to the Gulf states. My dream is that we could use the oil wealth to benefit all people of the region and even extend it to people around the Third World. Then he wistfully said, "If your government didn't support these wretched regimes my dream might come true. Please tell your citizens that we are suffering because your government backed Sadat and now Mubarak."

Of course U.S. policymaker's recurring nightmare is that genuine democratization breaks out in in Egypt and spreads to the oil monarchies. And one assumes that at this moment Washington is doing everything in its power to sabotage this possibility or try to mitigate the damage. In a comment that won't surprise the Arab street, Secretary of State Clinton recently credited Mubarek's police state with "looking for ways to respond to the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people."

More at the link --

[harun]

1. Been to Egypt, my experience as well. Tremendous opportunity for the

people there if they could get a real government.

[shireen]

6. +1

I just hope they're not taken over by religious fanatics. Look at Iran, another country with tremendous potential under the control of religious nuts. :(

[CJvR]

13. Unfortunately...

...I think that is the most likely outcome of a revolution.

If things really goes down the drain for Mubarak perhaps he can do his country a favor and have all the fundies shot before taking his extended vacation in Saudiarabia.

[eridani]

14. I've heard that the Muslim Brotherhood is way behind the curve here

Also, we have Christians lining up to help Muslims, and Muslims defending Coptic churches. This cohnterforce could win out. But of course you never know.

[aquart]

2. Nice. The Egyptian fantasy is to take control of MidEast oil.

Fine by me. They wanna kill a million rich guys, go for it. Doesn't matter to me who we buy that stuff from.

Do they expect us to give them the guns?

[David__77]

3. The support for the NDP state is very, very shallow.

It is extremely brittle and has no glories to rely on at this point. This is a very different situation than, say, Iran, where the state still commands very significant loyalty from different strata.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. "considered himself fortunate to have any job"

Sound familiar? This is exactly where we are heading. The only difference is a PHD waiting on a fat cat whose money doesn't come from oil but comes from playing with money.

[shireen]

11. +1

I tell ya ... it drives me nuts. I remember waiting in line at an upscale supermarket where staff stand around waiting to unload the cart for you!

One lady was making a scene because one of those staffers had not got to her in time and she had to unload her own cart. "I come here because i expect you to unload the cart for me!"

I was too stunned to say anything to her, i had never seen someone throw a tantrum over something so insignificant. But after she stormed off, I went to the manager and told him that the staff had done nothing wrong, it was that crazy lady making a scene over a very trivial matter. The staff at the vicinity were so appreciative that someone had stood up for them (no other customers bothered to do it!).

Supermarket staff, waiters, waitresses, bank tellers, phone customer service ... these people are often treated as if they're invisible! Or worse. Just pausing to sincerely say "thank you" takes just a few seconds. And it makes them feel good that their work is appreciated.

[tblue37]

5. "Of course U.S. policymaker's recurring nightmare is that genuine democratization

breaks out in in Egypt and spreads to the oil monarchies." The rest of their nightmare is that genuine democracy might break out here in the US--and that watching it break out elsewhere might even provoke a little democratizing activity among the serfs here in the US!

[Citizen Worker]

10. I continue to hope that the nascent wave of democracy will wash upon these shores.

[Vinnie From Indy]

7. I think the REAL concern is to crush the movements before they reach

the House of Saud. BushCo and others will do whatever it takes to keep the Saudi royal family in place. Any form of democracy in the ME scares the hell out of many in the West. The strategy will be containment first and violent, brutal suppression second. There is simply way too much money at stake to let these movements grow.

[damntexdem]

8. Washington needs some sleep therapy.

Its foreign-policy apnea may go beyond mere nightmares.

[shireen]

12. as someone with sleep apnea ...

I truly appreciate the sentiments of your comment! :rofl:

[Jester Messiah]

9. I'm sure our government will quietly "make friends" with whoever winds up on top.

That's just the way it goes. Anyone who doesn't "make friends" winds up like Saddam.

[nilram]

15. k&R!

[Catherina]

16. Rec'd. D.C. is being very unsubtle with their sabotage and attempts to mitigate

The Egyptian people made it quite clear that Mubarak is finished and out. The unbelievable talk coming from DC that Mubarak will make reforms now is ludicrous, day late and a dollar short. He's gone, out, wrap your minds around that Washington.