The Egyptian Challenge

What do we, the average American citizen, know about Egypt?  Were you as surprised as I was?

I admit my ignorance.  Until the outbreak of the popular uprising calling for his resignation, I had no idea that Egypt’s president, Hosni Mubarak, was so unpopular with his own people.  Even the Egyptian army favored the peoples’ cause over the president’s.  Then I wondered: what does this mean for the U.S. who seems to have been on good terms with Mubarak?  And why were we on such good terms with President Mubarak, if his own people hated him so much?  And how does the average Egyptian citizen view U.S./Egyptian relations in light of that fact?

If the Egyptian people want Mubarak out, then so should we.  Right?  After all, who are we to stand in the way of a popular uprising against an oppressive dictator?  But what if it means that an extreme, rightwing, Islamic religious group like the “Muslim Brotherhood” gains control over Egyptian society?  Then what?  Even here, I have to admit, I know little about the Muslim Brotherhood, but what I have read about them gives me little comfort.

What are the options?  Support a hated and resented dictator, invite chaos, or accept the encroachment of an extreme rightwing Muslim Brotherhood upon Egyptian politics?  I'm sure there are more options than these three.  Nevertheless, this is shaky ground that our diplomats are walking on?

Nevertheless, as an American citizen here is what I would NOT like us to do.  I would not like to see the U.S. take a unilateral, go it alone, “What America wants, America Gets!” approach to the situation.  At best, I would like to see the U.S. conjointly cooperating with other appropriate nations and international powers to assist (if assistance is needed) the Egyptians in their move toward a new government.  The U.S. need not be the only nation sticking-its-nick-out to alleviate what could become a new Middle East crisis in the international scene.

Similarly, I would like to see the U.S. keep a healthy respect for Egyptian, Middle Eastern, and international boundaries in the area.  That is, I would NOT like the Egyptian people to get the feeling that we, the U.S., are asserting our power and influence in inappropriate ways, making them feel as if they are not in control of their own destiny.  Egyptians must be able to make their own decisions, lead their own people and nation, without feeling as if they have become puppets to greater outside powers, whether it be the U.S. or any other national power that has an interest in Middle Eastern politics.

So far this is exactly what President Obama’s approach seems to be.  Good for him.  We are neither being too assertive nor demanding, nor are we simply sitting on the sidelines pretending that what happens in Egypt is none of our business.  A difficult balancing act this is, but a necessary one.

Thus, we Americans need to be patient, support the diplomatic process, and most importantly respect the Egyptian peoples’ wishes.  Yet, we obviously cannot be naïve about the possible dangers involved.  After all, we ARE talking about the Middle East, always a volatile minefield, which is why we must avoid approaching this situation as if we are the masters of its outcome.

And so, let us pray for our diplomats and politicians who are directly dealing with the Egyptian crisis, that they may have a keenness of mind and heart, wisdom and awareness, and insight and perception.   Let us pray that they will say, speak, act, and do the right things in the right way, for the right reason, in order to have the best possible outcome.  And let us wish the best for the Egyptian people.