The recent peoples revolution that toppled Egypt's thirty-year “strong man” Hosni Mubarak , sent shock-waves around the world. First to feel the shock was the people themselves, inspired by events in Tunisia and oppressed to the state of rebellion. They did it!
Unprepared and off-guard was the USA, who pump vast amounts of money and support to oppressive regimes(Pakistan also receives billions) in expectation that they act in America's (or Israels)best interests. Great for US foreign policy, but terrible for these countries citizens.
However, American cries of democracy could prove fatal for the worlds current superpower, as was seen in Palestine when democratic elections led to the people choosing Hamas.
Israel, also with a vested interest in keeping Mubarak in power, were forced to sit back with eyes open and on full military alert. Their only utterances during the political whirlwind were “terrorist” and “Muslim Brotherhood”.
For the rest of the Arab world, events in Egypt(Tunisia) are a great threat. Oppression and iron-fisted rule has kept countries together where intricate tribal systems and Sunni/Shite divides threaten unity(Bush's invasion of Iraq) and power(Saudi royal family).
Rights must be a better thing for the peoples, but will the average person on the street really see reform and change. Or will a different face fill the seat of power for decades to come?
