Former Vice-President Cheney has come out singing the praises of Hosni Mubarak, calling him a “good friend” and a key U.S. ally.
Israel is also worried about Egyptian/Israeli ties should a new government arise in Cairo.
This is not good.
While Egypt has played the role of a moderate in Middle Eastern politics, and played a vital role in the peace process since signing a treaty with Israel, there has been a dictator at Egypt’s helm for thirty years.
And he’s used his military and secret police to murder his opponents, lock up his enemies, and has amassed a $70 billion fortune. I have no doubt that he’ll be prosecuted for corruption for that alone. I’m not surprised that his family is allegedly fleeing Egypt. Wonder what they’re taking with them.
I think that our politicians need to get with the program, and realize that their “good friend”, while he’s contributed to stability in the region, has violently repressed the people of Egypt, and they’re clearly fed up. Washington and Tel Aviv need to support the Egyptian people, NOW.
Obama’s policy of “passive bystander” is failing. He needs to get in front of the cameras and state that he supports the Egyptian people and their aspirations for freedom. And he needs to convince Mubarak that it’s time to leave sooner rather than later.
If Egypt stabilizes and they start having democratically elected governments, it can serve as a model for the rest of the region. That’s something to strive for, rather than clinging to a dictator who is losing power rapidly. The U.S. should be embracing the rule of law for Egypt, rather than the rule of one man.
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