While Washington's reaction to the growing unrest in the Middle East will have almost no impact on what actually happens in the Arab world, it will affect the United States’ standing in the region.
Although the wave of protests in Tunisia was set off by economic complaints, the true threat to stability in the Arab world is poor governance.
The Middle East is changing in fundamental ways and U.S. foreign policy must evolve to reflect these changes.
Egypt’s continuing unrest has furthered speculation about whether President Mubarak’s government will fall, who might act as a leader for the opposition, and what effect the upheaval will have on U.S.-Egyptian relations.
The uprising that started in Tunisia in late 2010 was not a completely new development, but rather a more dramatic example of the unrest common across the region, particularly in Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Jordan.
As a new national unity government in Tunisia struggles to gain support, political parties, civil society, and the military will play a critical role in determining whether the country can transition to a more democratic state or will fall back into its old political structure.
Arab moderates must realize that they cannot limit their moderation to the Arab-Israeli peace process if they hope to remain credible in the eyes of a public demanding serious domestic reforms.
In the wake of the upheaval in Tunisia, Arab leaders need to recognize that no country is invulnerable and take steps to open political systems to improve the democratic and political rights of the population.
The bombing of a Coptic Christian church on New Year's Day reflected a sharp rise in religious friction that has been slowly brewing in Egypt for years.
If members of former Tunisian President Ben Ali’s regime attempt to use provisions in the country's constitution to retain power, dissatisfaction among opposition members and the Tunisian people could lead to further unrest.