Commentary
Marwan Muasher
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Source: Getty
In The Media
The Danger of Half Steps
It is important for the United States to support a real and sustained transition to democracy without appearing to interfere in Egypt’s domestic affairs or being sidetracked by the current regime’s piecemeal reform efforts.
Published on Feb 7, 2011
Source: New York Times
No one — including the protesters — wants a leadership vacuum in the coming months, but the people in the streets want to know that the reforms necessary to tackle Egypt’s democratic deficit will be carried out if they go home. While the protesters are interested in an orderly transition, they are also concerned about the seriousness of the current regime in implementing the needed reforms, including whether they will move forward with a new election law, amending the constitution, and dissolving the parliament.
Judging by the Egyptian government’s concessions in the last few days, it looks like the regime is trying to do just enough to buy more time. Rather than taking the steps necessary to fundamentally alter the structure of the political system, the government is suggesting piecemeal reform with sporadic steps.
But the protesters won’t be satisfied without real change and the United States shouldn’t be either.
The unrest in Egypt caught the United States by surprise and the Obama administration has been forced to play catch up to get ahead of the curve. As the events unfolded, U.S. officials needed to not only distance themselves from Mubarak, but also express support for a real and immediate move toward democracy.
It is difficult for the Obama administration to identify a precise time for Mubarak’s exit without appearing to be interfering in Egypt’s domestic affairs. Washington, however, has made its views clear — both privately and publicly — that it expects Mubarak to go, but the timing is up to the Egyptians. This is how it should be.
Whether Mubarak is ousted today or in a few months, Washington needs to support a real and sustained transition to democracy that begins now. The important thing for the United States is to support a serious political reform process that moves Egypt down the road to democracy without being sidetracked by half steps.
About the Author
Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies
Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.
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