Egypt and the Middle East

Early in his presidency, Barack Obama went to Cairo to speak directly to the region about Muslim-US relations in an attempt to repair the damage and set a new tone.  Clearly, with an eye towards a Kennedy/Reagan foreign policy moment for tearing down walls and proclaiming us all, while not Egyptians, at least striving for the same universal vision of free and open democratic societies with opportunity and equality for all, etc.   Rhetorically, the president delivered that day even correctly quoting the Quran for good measure, impressing the Nobel committee enough to earn their highest honor for a statesman the Peace prize.  As good as that moment felt, perhaps mostly as a funeral for Bush Administration in the region, it still failed both sides and even now as events in the region unfold we still are unwilling to take the necessary moral stand and direct action that sends the clear message to Mubarack and his ilk across the region and the world the time for real democracy with free, fair and certified elections is now and failure to comply will have consequences, isolation from the international system.

But that is not going to happen.  Even now after the resignation of Mubarack the US President has offered up only the 'Egypt will never be the same' line that communicates only impotence or an unfortunate lack of interest.  This total lack of leadership in communicating how the US can help facilitate the best strategic outcome for us and the region ouside of rhetorical garbage is unacceptable especially for the implied support for the status quo. 

So how can Western society aid in providing for a more positive outcome in Egypt and other teetering nations? Fortunately, in the absence of governmental response to important global issues non-governmental organizations(NGO's) have sprung up to fill the service gap.  Groups like George Soros's Open Society Foundation have established the resources necessary in a situation such as we have in Egypt to support groups that need it most now. In a column in the Washington Post, Soros committed his organization and its wealth of experience to provide the specific tools for groups in Egypt.  I appreciate that the US and Presient Obama do not want to be seen supporting one group over another choosing preferring the sidelines while the parties establish positions.  Still if the US has a role to provide NGO's resources to empower the process in a way that is consistent with our values.   NGO"s including the Carter Center and Open Society can do the heavy lifting and are willing.   If we can't take sides let our principles and those groups that best support them.