President Mubarak Resigns

Without a doubt, the headliner in international affairs today is the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.  After three decades of absolute rule, Mubarak has finally given up his post.  As a result, the millions of protestors who have been demonstrating for the past three weeks celebrated jubilantly.  People were hugging each other outside the state television building. 

Mubarak's resignation has both negative and positive implications.  First, the good news.  Egypt is no longer under the thumb of an autocratic ruler.  Ideally, this turn of events will give democracy a chance to flourish.  For the short term, the military will rule, but hopefully, they will cede power when it comes time to hold elections.  Although Mubarak was an anchor for U.S. policies towards the Middle East, the way he ran Egypt domestically was highly questionable.  Unemployment was approaching 40% and police brutality was rampant.  Finally, the Egyptians rallied to prevent further human rights abuses. 

Second, the fact that Mubarak finally listened to the Egyptian people is a positive sign.  Faster and deeper reforms will hopefully follow in the coming years.  The United States must embrance this opportunity to develop a strong relations with the new leadership in Egypt.  We are a nation that emphasizes the value of democracy, so our foreign policy should express nothing but support for Arab countries that wish to democratically elect their leaders. 

For the time being, the military and Vice President Suleiman will co-govern the country. A statement issued by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said, "We stay committed to the people's demands and to ensure that they are realized, and to the peaceful transition of power."  The Egyptian military must move quickly to stabilize the country and win the minds and hearts of the Egyptian people.  Right now, most of Egypt's population is wary of leaders, so the military must prove that it can solve the nation's economic problems.  Fortunately, Egyptians view Mubarak as the problem, and even though violent force was used against the peopel, the military comes in with a clean slate. 

What should be of concern to the west in the potential for a radical to be elected.  The Muslim Brotherhood and other radical groups must not gain political momentum.  When Egypt holds an election, the West must hope that a fair, temperate leader is chosen.  There are strong nationalist sentiments brewing in Egypt's underground political community, and a revolution caused by social unrest is exactly what allows terrible leaders to seize power.