Ercille I. Christmas

'They the People' of the Middle East
February 4, 2011
 

On Friday, January 28, 2010, a friend asked me if I would be writing about the situation in Egypt. She was looking forward to my analysis. I will not lay any claim to be in the "analyst," or "pundit" realm, but I can give the perspective of an ordinary woman, who is just as perplexed as my fellow ordinary American citizens.

I am not the "conspiracy theorist" type, but the first thought that came to mind, is that two plus two may very well not be four, but could instead be twenty two. That is my convoluted way of saying that the unrest in the Middle East "does not add up."  I am seeing what appears to me to be "instigated spontaneity." Would the Middle East have been spontaneously burning up, say about two and a half years ago, or to go back even further, around September 12, 2001?  I am seeing the outline of a puppeteer's or puppeteers' hands.  I have questions. I am going to check out the real pundits and read what they have written. I am also going to try to take a stab in "analyzing" this situation from my position as "woman on the street." In the interests of using "vitriol-free" speech, I will reword the previous sentence. I am going to attempt to "analyze" this situation, etc,.etc.. There. That is much better.

Almost two years ago, there was unrest in Iran over what some citizens perceived to be "rigged elections." Not one of the world powers, including, or maybe especially the US, lifted a finger or uttered too many words as Neda Soltan was robbed of her life. Ironically the meaning of her first name is "voice," which was silenced.  "Nothing to see here...move on," was the attitude. I must have missed the calls for the regime in Iran to get out, and the rushing of the world press to the scene. When this regime worked to get rid of the Shah, the then US president was missing in inaction. The Shah was gone. The regime that replaced him, must have Iranians painfully aware of that saying, "be careful what you wish for."

Now there is Egypt. What is the difference between this Egyptian uprising and the Iranian uprising of June 2009? As is the case with too many of the governments in certain parts of the world, the governing structure is "my way or the highway," meaning some type of dictatorship – so that is not really the difference.  I perceive the real difference to be in the type of dictatorship. Iran is already the fait accompli, of a desired and perhaps forever theocracy – no need to hope for change?  Egypt is operated under a quasi military dictatorship, with a smidgen of civilian leadership. Egypt signed a peace accord with "Little Satan," as Israel is described. Iran wants to nuke "Little Satan" into the Mediterranean Sea. Egypt is an ally of the US. Iran? It is more like a thorn in the side of the US.

What are the experts and pundits saying? Professor Paul A. Rahe of Hillsdale College begins his article by claiming not to be an expert on Tunisia or Egypt, but in my opinion, he gives a pretty good historical background of Egypt , and analysis of what the situation in Egypt means for the US and Israel. When opinion or analysis comes out of Hillsdale – I listen. If "Yesteryear's Egypt was a product of Arab nationalism," of what product will be future Egypt? Will Egypt also learn that "Islam is the answer"? Instead of cutting the heads off of mummies, as the looters are reportedly doing, will beheadings of live "mummies" and "daddies" become the norm? Professor Rahe's summation is not positive:

My further guess is that, over the next few years, the country will drift in an Islamic revivalist direction. We should certainly not vest our hopes in Mohammed ElBaradei, Nobel Peace Prize winner though he may be. As Caroline Glick explains on her blog, when he ran the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, he did everything that he could to cover for the Iranian effort to build nuclear weapons, and he is a strong supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood. In Egypt and in the Middle East more generally, we are witnessing the end of an era.

As an aside, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee may want to stop searching so desperately for candidates on whom to confer this prize, or at least make sure that the candidates actually accomplish something positively noteworthy. The fruit of that 2009 choice has so far borne only worldwide conflict. As for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize winner, he should not be throwing verbal stones at the 2009 winner, by questioning 2009's credibility in Egypt. To raise that issue of credibility will remind folks of 2005's credibility vis-à-vis Iran and nukes, as spelled out in Professor Rahe's article.

This Pajamas Media Blog makes me want to jump in my pajamas and pull the covers over my head! The laundry list of countries that have been "conscripted" is unnerving. The name "Muslim Brotherhood" came up once again. Isn't that the same "brotherhood" that sent Anwar Sadat to the great beyond – because he dared sign a peace treaty with Israel? So is the scenario – "The new regime turns against the West, tears up the peace treaty with Israel (in practice if not formally), and joins hands with Hamas" – a very distinct possibility? There is mention of the Iranian revolution, again with not much positive for the West.

My education continues and it is quite an education. When the "conflagration" in the Middle East began, and hit even Egypt, one name that did not come to my mind was George Soros. This article delves into the possibility of his involvement, or more specifically, the involvement of one of his many "organs."  My head is spinning! However, my preference is always to be told the truth. I like when someone comes right out and tells me what he or she is going to do, instead of sugarcoating ill intent. This account about Jordan's opposition declaring that "Arabs will topple tyrants," fits my truth criterion, because it frankly discusses the disdain for the "Big Satan."  There is that name "Muslim Brotherhood" again. Its Jordanian leader, a Mr. Saeed was extremely forthcoming:

"The Americans and (President Barack) Obama must be losing sleep over the popular revolt in Egypt," he said. "Now, Obama must understand that the people have woken up and are ready to unseat the tyrant leaders who remained in power because of U.S. backing."

"We tell the Americans 'enough is enough'," he said.

I partially agree with Mr. Saeed. It is time that America and the rest of the West also say "enough is enough" – but for a different reason. All of that foreign aid flowing into countries which hate the West sends the wrong message. It sends the message that these Western leaders are pansies and have not yet learned that strength is respected, and kindness is mistaken for weakness. The recipients of the largess laugh at leaders bowing and scraping, and outright guffaw at "free" money, given in exchange for disrespect.   

Here are more lessons that I am learning from the uprising in the Middle East. Ultimately, no matter the professed philosophy or ruling structure of the regime, all regimes in the world, are essentially corrupt - it is only a matter of degree. So far, we the slugs in the US, are still fortunate. Although we have in place a regime that has a lot in common with a monarchy, although there is little pretense of adhering to the US Constitution, although our voices really do not matter – we are still free to vote. Without even trying, I came up with the perfect example of one piece of legislation that fits the concerns that I just described – Obamacare . 70% of Americans were not in favor of it. It was still passed. A second judge has now ruled it unconstitutional. This second rejection struck down the entire bill. Oh, we still have access to the Internet, although it appears that under the guise of "safety," faceless bureaucrats are apparently working on procedures to shut it down at the will of their bosses.

Another lesson that I am learning from especially the situation in Egypt, as I learned from the situation in Iran, is that the US and the rest of the world, need a smart, tough US leader. Roughly two years ago, the current US president went to Egypt, not to praise his country of birth, but to diplomatically bury it. Going to a foreign country, especially in the area of the world where America is "affectionately" known as "Big Satan," and metaphorically sticking horns in the foreheads of the citizens of the country you are supposedly representing, is senseless and feckless. The term "airing dirty laundry" outside of your backyard, comes to mind. Even if you personally think that Americans are "arrogant and divisive," such talk should remain in the parlor, not blabbed all over the world stage. Mr. President, please remember that those "arrogant and divisive" Americans elected you, paid for the trip, and continue to pay for all of the accoutrements of power, in which you revel. Maybe we should return to politicians volunteering to serve the public, and working part time at a real job to support themselves.

Haaretz's conclusion is that the current US president will go down in history as "the president who ‘lost' Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt, and during whose tenure America's alliances in the Middle East crumbled."  I cannot argue against that conclusion. For me to argue, could have me labeled "arrogant and divisive" – again – by the US president. The US response has ranged from games and parties to calling for "meaningful and peaceful transition, and that said transition "should begin now." Good luck with those "carefully coated and coached demands." If two thousand year old mummies could be beheaded, an 82-year old "monarch" could be mummified in the blinking of a sword. Changing US position according to the one giving the newest stance, and by the time of day, is not helpful.

Will America have its own "Middle East uprising" moment? I personally think that any "uprising" was done on November 2, 2010, and could recur in November 2012. With a few exceptions, Americans like to do their "looting and burning" at the ballot box. Now cut off elections and kill the Internet?  Then all bets could be off. To be absolutely clear, the previous statements are not in any way meant to compare the Tea Party Movement, to the rioters in the Middle East, as some US "pundits" have begun doing. No looting, burning, or beheading of mummies took place at Tea Party events. What took place was a peaceful "revolution" that showed many corrupt politicians how revolting they had become to much of America. As despairing as this period is, with America looking weak and indecisive, I am not going to despair. I am going to continue to educate myself, as painful as some lessons are. If this country that I love is placed in danger from whatever elements within or without, I will continue to obey its laws and support my fellow citizens.

It is so ironic that, as many pretenders there are to its throne as world leader, the world still needs America. There were no calls out for China, for example, to "do something." America is such a convenience, isn't it? Call on it when your "you know what" is in a sling. Deride it five minutes after your rescue. Unfortunately for friends of America, the past two years or so, have not been very friendly, unlike enemies of America, who were shown that it pays to denigrate America. Enemies were given the distinct message that they, unlike friends, would be bowed down to, and held in high esteem. Are we seeing the results of this upside down message in the inflamed Middle East?  As for the people of Egypt and other countries in the Middle East, my wish for them, especially the women who tend to be ranked below the livestock in certain countries, is that a scalding pot is not exchanged for even more harmful fire.  

As I am typing this, I am hearing reports that violence has broken out between the supporters of the current regime, and those who want to replace it. The US is being begged to "save us"? The irony abounds. The "Great Satan" to the rescue? A BBC news headline reads, "Egypt Protests: Israel watches anxiously." My advice to Israel is to take the anxiety out of the watching, and begin planning for a possible post Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty environment. There is Israeli precedent, and proven results, in past efforts at self-preservation.

Hope J., I hope that I did all right with your request to give my analysis. Inevitably, it is those of us of the "lowland" who will pay whatever price is exacted from all of the recent unrest.  We should be concerned, but never anxious. The grit and spunk of America still exist in many of "we the people."