Economic reforms more pressing than political change
There is much to be done in Egypt to address the grievances of the population. But calm and level-headedness need to prevail, for in the explosive atmosphere prevailing in the country, sensible measures will be difficult to arrive at. While calls for political reforms are justified, the need for economic reform is even more pressing. Help from richer Arab states could have helped stave off the deteriorating situation in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world. But that alone, of course, cannot do. A reprieve is not a solution. Political and economic reforms are vital. No amount of silencing, even electronic, can hide poverty and lack of political freedom.
Jordan Times, Amman
Time for the U.S. to act
We are not overly surprised by the halting reaction of the United States, and the rest of the world (given the high stakes), to the events unfolding in Egypt. But we are concerned the critical moment just may slip by given the menacing possibilities in the streets if the U.S. and the world at large waste too much time bogged down in deliberations while the country descends into chaos. Egypt commands a huge influence in the Middle East and what happens there will have a powerful impact on the entire region. The choice is clear: the people have spoken out and the world must listen. It is instructive in this context to look back to President Barack Obama’s speech at Cairo University in 2009, shortly after he assumed office, and the promise he made to the Arab world. “No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power,” he said. It is time for Obama to act on those principles.
The Peninsula Online, Qatar
Democratic goals must prevail
The region’s decrepit dictators seem unable to grasp that their addiction to power is driving protests against them. Repression is futile. Unrest can no longer be hidden from the world. The leaderless nature of uprisings guided by social media also require that the nominal directors of the protests realize the openness of their movements means that among their fellow travelers lurk many who have agendas incompatible with reform. There are significant groups who would like to exploit the crisis and chaos to pursue marginal religious doctrines, as well as those who seek only economic gain. Voices must be heard that spell out the democratic goals of these protests.
The Daily Star, Lebanon
Arabs the subjects of manipulation no more
The people are taking to the street not only to protest but to achieve the well-being they deserve. This isn’t the first time the people in the Middle East have crushed the system. Still, every time, there is enormous surprise at the people’s enormous strength. There is surprise not only in Egypt and Tunisia, but also in the West and no less in Israel. This is because the people in Arab countries are still perceived as lacking in power and influence, and subject to manipulation by the authorities. But the rules of the game are changing dramatically. This is a public that considers itself equal to the people in the West, even if it is not as powerful.
Ha’aretz, Israel
U.S. losing political leverage
Dramatic scenes of mass mobilizations calling on President Mubarak to step down, clashes with riot police, and burning government buildings, proved too enticing to the world’s media. As a result, other major unfolding stories across the region were either pushed to back page coverage or completely off the page. There has been scant mention of the inauguration of a new Hezbollah-backed government in Lebanon, raising fears of new sectarian tensions anti-government demonstrations across Yemen and Jordan challenging the rule of two other U.S. allies and a still unsettled situation in Iraq with the formation of a “new” government being compromised by continued violence. While America remains, at least rhetorically, committed to human rights and political freedom, the imperative to protect national security interests often trumps other concerns. The U.S. has very little leverage (or even contact) with the opposition groups in question and/or little ability to impact the outcome of the ferment.
Gulf Daily News, Bahrain
