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While the Egyptian opposition wants an inclusive and fundamental reform and a transition to a more pluralist and democratic system, it remains to be seen whether their demands will be met by the military.
As protests and youth movements continue across the Middle East, U.S. policy will be reacting to, not shaping, the changes occurring throughout the region.
There is little doubt that Hosni Mubarak's legacy in Egypt will primarily be seen as economic stagnation and lost regional influence.
The protest movement in Jordan is fundamentally about opening the political system in Jordan, not economic grievances.
A fundamental difference remains between what Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and even Vice President Suleiman have been offering and what the demonstrators are looking for.
The United States has attempted to maintain a careful balance between pressuring the Mubarak regime to accede to the demonstrators' demands and working to provide stability in Egypt.
Regardless of who takes over after Egyptian President Mubarak's resignation, the United States should do what it can to support a transition to genuine democracy and free and fair elections.
President Mubarak’s speech on February 10 disappointed Egyptian protesters and was out of touch with the situation facing Egypt.
The protesters in Egypt must look beyond the issue of whether and when President Mubarak will step down and begin to consider what it will take to engage in an orderly transition to democracy in Egypt.
The long-standing U.S. relationship with Egypt makes it problematic for the Obama administration to remain silent on violence committed by the regime as the protests continue.