Word: egypt
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...possibility of such a radical transformation is very real. Egypt will soon reach an important crossroads regarding fundamentalism. Current president Hosni Mubarak turns 80 this year, and there is speculation that he will soon step down. In 2005, the Egyptian government passed a referendum that allowed for the popular election of a new leader after this happens. His son, Gamal Mubarak, seems a likely candidate for the popular election, but he is strongly opposed by many fundamentalists for his secularism. The Mubaraks have also been harshly criticized for attempting to install a dynasty in Egypt, passing on power...
Gamal Mubarak is by no means perfect. He has been accused of receiving the power and authority he wields in Egypt from his father, rather than winning them by his own merit and leadership. As a leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), the younger Mubarak is also a major political player within his own party. Although this politico claims to not want the presidency, he recently met with President Bush in what many see as a “seal of approval from Washington.” Whether or not Gamal Mubarak deserves the presidency, he has both familial...
...offers inspiration for many violent jihadi groups.” Dennis Ross, former President Bill Clinton’s Middle East envoy, has offered additional criticism stating that despite the Brotherhood’s “assertion that it wants to engage in the political process in Egypt, the movement supports the use of violence in other areas.” The clear consensus seems to be that the reality of the Brotherhood’s interests are not necessarily peace and stability as they claim, but rather implementation of strict Islamic law and opposition to the West...
Additionally, a truly open election would be bad for Egypt as a nation. If Gamal Mubarak is not brought into office by the forces of political nepotism, the Muslim Brotherhood may gain enough support to win the election, as citizens might be driven to vote for the Brotherhood as a simple reaction to the Mubaraks’ perceived dynasty. In reality, however, a reactionary vote, much like the Palestinian’s vote for Hamas last year, would be supporting a radical Islamic regime—a decision they may later regret. In this case, voting for the alternative?...
...Mubarak’s ascension, the United States and other western countries should ease pressure on Egypt to implement democratic reforms. It is in the best interest of Egypt, the United States, and the entire region for the elections to be guided by an interest in stability rather than the ideology of democratic reform. The current system is completely untenable, and democratic reform must happen in Egypt, but it must be measured so as to maintain the peace in an increasingly volatile region...