Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
Here’s my contribution to the NYTimes.com Room for Debate panel asking “Is Caution the Right U.S. Strategy” for Egypt’s revolution.
Blinking and Backing Down
By Mona Eltahawy
Hosni Mubarak has ruled Egypt for 30 years, keeping the country in a state of emergency for every one of those years, overseeing one forged election after the other and maintaining a security apparatus renowned for its brutality.
Which part of the above sentence shows any regard or concern for the Egyptian constitution?
To buy his argument that — despite a 15-day mass uprising calling for Mubarak’s overthrow — he must remain in office to oversee an “orderly transition” and to prevent constitutional problems created by an immediate ouster is to accept the alternate reality Mubarak occupies, oblivious to the demands of hundreds of thousands of Egyptians. The ever yo-yoing Obama administration has blinked, backed down from its claims to be on the right side of history and joined Mubarak on his parallel universe.
Mubarak’s vice president, Omar Suleiman, who has appointed to the position by Mubarak only after pro-democracy demonstrations began — told an interviewer over the weekend that Egyptians didn’t “understand the culture of democracy.” Does that sound like the man to manage that “orderly transition”?
It is exactly that kind of paternalism that those hundreds of thousands of Egyptians have risen up against. And yet the U.S. — after days of lip service to being on the right side of history — is siding with Suleiman. He did after all aid the U.S. with its rendition program and oversaw torture for it.
That stance is not surprising given that the administration sent Frank Wisner as its envoy to Mubarak. As The Independent newspaper in Britain reported, Wisner is employed by a firm that was itself employed by the Mubarak regime. Such relationships as well as the presence of lobbyists in Washington who continue to burnish Mubarak’s name could further push U.S. policy toward Egypt into that parallel universe.
The Mubarak/Suleiman regime has scared the U.S. administration into buying its story that they are the guarantors of “stability” — for which the freedom and dignity of Egyptians has long been sacrificed. Meanwhile, that same regime foments anti-Americanism via state TV propaganda which portrays pro-democracy demonstrators as agent of the U.S. In other words, it’s back to business as usual between Washington and its strongest ally in the Arab world.
What both Washington and the Mubarak regime fail to fully grasp however is that Egypt has changed forever.
Even more Egyptians joined pro-democracy demonstrations on Tuesday, galvanized by the words of Wael Ghonim, a 30-year old Google managing executive who was an administrator of a Facebook page behind the Jan. 25 protests which grew into the uprising. Speaking after a 12-day detention, his shaming of the regime for trying to paint demonstrators as spies drew out Egyptians who had so far hesitated to join the uprising.
Just because Mubarak strangled all life out of Egyptian politics over the past 30 years doesn’t mean that we must allow him to oversee its revival. In a country of 80 million, surely there are legal and constitutional experts who can help the U.S. administration understand it’s possible to move beyond its dependence on Mubarak?
Mubarak and his old men can’t believe the “kids” have pulled the rug out from under their feet and the Obama administration — the administration that prided itself on making young Americans in their millions fall in love with politics again — has sided with Papa. That message is but the latest that will fuel further distrust of the U.S. among young Arabs — the majority of the region’s populace and its future.
Comments (17)
Stephane MOT said:
Hello Mona.
The US didn’t blink: Obama was forced to swallow a bitter pill. Sounds like ‘Real Politik or rather ‘Real Wirtschaft’ to me.
I guess the deal was between the US and the Egyptian army, the army telling its main sponsor something like ‘of course we could put one of ours up there as usual, but it could infuriate some even more than keeping the old man for a few more weeks’.
This reaches beyond Mubarak: the whole corrupt system around that controls all key political and business entry points. Mubarak himself is already politically dead. What’s being decided now is who will survive among his closest friends.
I’m afraid the main activity of this fake transition regime will be shredding evidences and legitimizing economic power transfers.
Peace be upon you and those you care for.
Stephane
February 8th, 2011, 9:52 pm
Craig said:
On CNN on Sunday, I explained that Egyptians were taking care of the revolution themselves and didn’t need anyone’s help but that the international community should offer moral support…
I’m not sure what you’re on about here Mona, but you’ve said that Egyptians could do it on their own. You’ve gotten moral support from Obama. What exactly do you expect the US to do for you? And are you asking, or demanding?
That message is but the latest that will fuel further distrust of the U.S. among young Arabs — the majority of the region’s populace and its future.
Further distrust? I’m a little older than you, Mona, and there’s no time as long as I’ve been alive that Arabs trusted or liked the United States. Are you trying to pull a fast one with the old “carrot & stick” routine?
February 8th, 2011, 10:05 pm
Tweets that mention Mona Eltahawy Blog » Archives » US: Blinking and Backing Down in Egypt -- Topsy.com said:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rupert Bumfrey, Girly Gator. Girly Gator said: Mona Eltahawy Blog: US: Blinking and Backing Down in Egypt → http://bit.ly/fdxi9I [...]
February 9th, 2011, 1:38 am
Eivind said:
The paternalism is typical of dictatorships. “we know better”. The people are like children. They don’t grasp the full reality of the situation. They need to be *shielded* from reality by censorship.
It’s nonsense. The opposite is true. Knowing reality is what is causing the people of Egypt to grow up and demand responsibility for the nation that is rightfully theirs. A juvenile subservient population is what Mubarak and every dictator wants – and a population that is anything but, is their biggest fear.
February 9th, 2011, 3:18 am
Solomon2 said:
It’s good to see democracy growing in Egypt. However, although the pro-democracy advocates know how they will confront the Mubarak/Suleiman regime, has anyone asked how they will confront the Brotherhood, should it choose to use force?
February 9th, 2011, 8:24 am
Ahmed Zaher said:
r u on line ?
if so pls tell me about Mubarak speach
or ho could I listen to hem
or what does he say
I haven’t any tv here
only net
February 10th, 2011, 4:27 pm
erin marovelli said:
I have been following you, sandmonkey and some others on Twitter. I am American new to using Twitter for news updates and opinions. I am 53 and went to Tunisia as a tourist for a month in 1985 when I was in my 20′s. I am so inspired by Egyptians and all of you Twittering and using the media to keep the rest of us in the know and the pressure on the regime. I wrote a poem I wanted to share. I live near Washington DC and will take your message to others and I know and join protests here as well. Here is my poem and introduction to my American friends some of whom have not really understood what has been going on. My poem was inspired by you, you, Twitter and weddings in Tahrir Square.
Hello All–I have developed a serious Twitter Egypt Addiction–I am watching the coverage basically non-stop… hoping Mubarak eventually steps down or at least goes to Germany for a medical check up and never comes back…so I can get some sleep.n and focus on something else like American Idol..I thought you might enjoy my little ditty….I follow Sandmonkey and Monaeltahawy on Twitter…you might of seen them on the news–journalist, writers and human rights activists…I am #Vinmya after the pooches…I did visit Tunisia for a month in my 20′s–lived the high life on Embassy
Row with my friend and her uncle the manager of Marathon Oil…I went right after the coup that put Bin Ali in power and always had a soft spot in my heart for Tunisia and cous cous since…a few nights I confess twittering to Tahrir Square in the middle of the night, opining that Americans aren’t that bad and a lot of us say GOOOO EGYPT…going to work in an obsessed state and yappiung at people at parties about my Egypt-Twitter obsession…
I Do, Love Twitter
Twitter traffic trapped in my head
#Sandmonkey started dancing
late at night upon my bed
“Free Egypt!, free Egypt!”
Him and #Monaeltahawy said and said
“Democracy now!”
I heard them roar
“Not dictators stealing bread
Not dead bananna men
Immolated
now dead dead dead!”
“Democracy now!”
I heard them cry
“Khalid Said!
In the morgue
Khalid Said!
His mama doesn’t recognize
his bashed in head.”
“Yes, its true he’s just a ghost–
Said, who lost his young life for a little post
and, I, am just a lowly google host”
anonymous #Wael Ghonim humbly wrote
but #Sandmonkey, #Mona and all the #Rest
screamed and screamed
“all of Egypt has a thirst
we dream of freedom
from this living hearse!
so spread the #word, #Jan25
let King Tut know
check the status on Twitter
as you go”
America, you are next
Stop supporting despots
Dictators, liars and creeps
Now I know
Twitter Twitter in my head
Twitter Twitter you have led
me to feel that oil in my car
the internet in Cairo
on now festive-tortured Tahrir Square
oh what a wedding you have had!
of open hearts and open heads
Peep, Peep
Twitter, Twitter
I do, I do
I thee wed
#Vinmya
ps. go YOUTH
February 10th, 2011, 7:23 pm
Harry C Tabak said:
Hello Mona,
In case you haven’t realized it yet, the US government has it’s own agenda which is usually decided by Corporate America. When we protested against going to war with Iraq and had millions of supporters demonstrating against war, GW did so anyway. The evil president and his supporters were never punished and it’s now mostly forgotten.
Egypt and its people must be allowed to follow their own path into the future. They have a right to grow their own democracy, make their own mistakes, and hopefully become a success story.
You’re a spirited and a powerful voice.
Thank you,
Harry C Tabak
February 10th, 2011, 9:18 pm
Tiffany said:
I am fully in support for change in Egypt. After reading this post, I wonder, what would you do if you were in Obama’s shoes? Keeping in mind the President speaks for the American people. With all the pressures of peace, trade, the economy of the U.S., Egypt and pretty much the world, and all other political pressures that come with making a decision as the president of the U.S., what would you do? I’m very curious and interested in your point of view.
I will be bothered if the military in Egypt respond with force against the protesters. It makes me uncomfortable to find out even some of the U.S. money supports another country’s military, but I understand it.
What is the best way for the U.S. to show its support without “butting in”?
Just a few questions that bounce around in my head. I wish for peace for Egypt, especially for Friday’s protests.
February 10th, 2011, 11:10 pm
Carla said:
Is there anything that American citizens can do to help support the efforts of the young people in Egypt?
February 11th, 2011, 2:54 pm
Cory said:
Can’t tell you how happy I am to see this outcome, Mona. A free Egypt. Never again will I leave the house without my revolutionary weapon of choice, my smart phone. I wish you and the Egyptian people much success in the future. Who knows, maybe one day even the USA can taste the fruits of true democracy. It costs even more for corporate America to buy off our own politicians than to buy off Mubarak.
Cory
February 11th, 2011, 4:22 pm
Majdi Haroun said:
Let the world be our witness:
YES we did it. Egyptians did it. Finally Egyptians can claim some of their lost pride back. We are more than the pyramids, the nile, and belly dancing. We are people who stood for their rights and demanded to be respected. We are the #Jan25 protesters who marched in peace, dignity, and love. We are Tahrir square, we are khaled Saeed and every innocent who died in this revolution.
We are Egypt.
February 11th, 2011, 4:40 pm
Kateh said:
Congratulation to the people of Egypt! Congratulation to all!
You are wonderful. Your courage brings tears to my eyes. All comes back to me 30 years ago Iranian Revolution when we got rid of the Shah!
February 11th, 2011, 4:42 pm
George said:
I’m so happy that the Egyptian people have gotten Mubarak, and most importantly Mubarak’s son, to step aside. Hopefully, the military government will act to expropriate some cotton lands owned by these thugs and those like them, on behalf of the Egyptian people, to grow some urgently needed food for Egypt’s poor.
February 12th, 2011, 10:25 am
Virginia Paris said:
Mona,
You are absolutely right in what you have said here, and I have been enjoying watching your take on things…. I would really, really like to interview you about the next steps for Egypt, and what needs to be done to make sure that real change does happen. Please contact me if you are interested, my show is Sunday morning 11am-1, I would like to talk to you sometime in there. Please let me know!
Obama is a puppet, and anything he says is not to be taken too seriously unless it is backed by serious action. He took too long to speak in support of the Egyptian people, and waited until after you had succeeded at your first step. Those of us who voted for him this last election have been disappointed day after day as he does not follow through on the things we thought he was going to do.. in fact he is not much better than Bush in many ways… not only hasn’t our treatment of the middle east not improved, but the freedoms of the American people are continuously erroding. The US has this hype about representing freedom, but its a lie, internally and externally. Many of us are savvy and understand what’s going on, but not in big enough numbers it seems for it to matter. Plus, the corporate press isn’t exactly on our side, as they side with corporate and government interests. When we stage protests, we don’t get any press unless its Tea Party protests.
I would love to talk to you, please let me know!
Virginia
February 12th, 2011, 10:05 pm
itsmykl said:
as an elder from the 60s it is exciting to see someone as advocating and intelligent as you pop up all over.
but, at times you need to move off advocacy of ideal, to a explanation of process and progress.
you could be a perfect explainer of the difficult line the US, which means Obama, has had to walk between supporting long term relationships. these that many presidents developed whether or not true to american principles, but created as an inter-relation that lasted for maintaining mutual communication.
please stand up and dispell the uncertainty that happened over the past weeks and discuss the difficulty that no one knew what would or could happen. use hindsight to build mutuallity as opposed to continuing uncertainties and fractionalization.
you have a choice place and respect to be a concensus builder.
February 13th, 2011, 2:52 am
Dr Ahmed Elakrat said:
it is really so nice argument.. however Heba debate was so convincing about a clear idea if Niqab would be a personal choice which might be chosen regardless any different interpretations!! definitely every women has the right to dress Niqab what so ever her justification!! يسقط ساركوزي العنصر
April 13th, 2011, 12:39 am
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