Israel Shaken by Egypt Development
Egypt is the strategic ally of Israel, so far as Mubarok stays in the power. The current development in which Mubarok’s power is likely to fall–without any clear who want to succeed him– has shaken the Israeli establishment and even its future. Imagine, if after free and fair election people of Egypt elect leaders with Ikhwanul Muslimin (Muslim Brotherhood) background. You may guess what whould happen. Is it another turning point of history? Time will tell.
NYT reports
The street revolt in Egypt has thrown the Israeli government and military into turmoil, with top officials closeted in round-the-clock strategy sessions aimed at rethinking their most significant regional relationship.
Israel’s military planning relies on peace with Egypt; nearly half the natural gas it uses is imported from Egypt; and the principle of trading conquered land for diplomatic ties began with its 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt more than with any other foreign leader, except President Obama. If Mr. Mubarak were driven from power, the effect on Israel could be profound.
Egypt: Hosni Mubarak Appoints Vice-president
In other countries vice-president appointment might not be a news at all. Not in Egypt. Since, Husni Mubarak have not appointed any VP during his 30-year rule. He also appoints the Air Force Chief of Staff (Ahmad Shafiq) as prime minister. In time of crisis, Mubarak plays the old card: turns to military for support. He’s right, success or failure of a revolution depends a lot on support or unsupport of military. But military sometimes has the conscience talking and turn to people. Tunisia is just the most recent example. We wish Egyptian all the best. We wish you succeed in your effort towards the real democracy. I know how you feel. I personally used to experience the same experience like you for 32 years under Suharto’s rule.
via AlJazeera
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has appointed the country’s head of intelligence to the post of vice-president, in a move said to be a reaction to days of anti-government protests in cities across the country.
Omar Soleiman was sworn in on Saturday, the first time Mubarak appointed a vice-president during his 30-year rule. Ahmad Shafiq, a former chief of air staff, was appointed prime minister.
But Al Jazeera’s correspondents in Egypt have said that many of those taking to the streets demand a total change of guard, as opposed to a reshuffling of figures in the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP).
Tunisia President Resign Over Mass Protests
This event remind me of Indonesian student’s protest which ended up in President Suharto’s resignation. Most Arab speaking countries (in Asia or Africa’s continent) are undemocratics . They are ruled by an authoritarian presidents for life, military dictators, kings and emirs . Interestingly, most of them are supported by the US. It’s the first Middle Eastern revolution since 1979 Iranian revolution. The West and the US, beware!
Guardian reports
Tunisia”s president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has fled his country after weeks of mass protests culminated in a victory for people power over one of the Arab world’s most repressive regimes.
Ben Ali had taken refuge in Saudi Arabia, at the end of an extraordinary day which had seen the declaration of a state of emergency, the evacuation of tourists of British and other nationalities, and an earthquake for the authoritarian politics of the Middle East and north Africa.
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia’s ousted president.After hours of conflicting reports had him criss-crossing southern Europe by air, the Saudi state news agency confirmed he had arrived in the kingdom together with his family. Earlier, French media reported that Nicolas Sarkozy had refused Ben Ali refuge, although France denied that any request had been received.
Fareed Zakaria: Today’s World Real Politik
Fareed Zakaria wrote as always an insightful piece. Extremely important for some fraction of Americans who are not aware of todays world politics and keep criticizing Obama for not getting tough on Iran. And not getting tough to its allies like Turkey and Brazil who are aside themselves with Iran ignoring US” call. Americans should not forget, he says, that half of the world economies now are owned by four countries: China, India, Turkey, Brazil.
Just to keep in mind that Zakaia is a Republican leaning analyst who gave the nod when GW Bush invaded Iraq (he changed his mind months afterwards)
An excerpt:
The administration of George W. Bush consciously defined its foreign policy as tough and aggressive. “It is better to be feared than loved,” Dick Cheney used to say, quoting Machiavelli. Donald Rumsfeld chose a less upmarket source, often citing Al Capone’s line: “You will get further with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word.”
… Have we forgotten the results of this experiment in foreign policy as machismo? America’s oldest allies in Europe turned against the United States. Governments publicly criticized Washington on policy after policy and refused to support its efforts. By 2007, large majorities of people in country after country, even historically pro-American places like Britain, had turned against America.
…Under these circumstances, the idea that Obama just needs to throw America’s weight around more is foolish and dangerous. Brazil and Turkey will not become more cooperative if Washington threatens them more. America’s task is to find ways to partner with and convince the emerging powers of the world that they have an interest in a more stable and decent world. And Al Capone is not much of a model for how to make that happen. Full story
