Elements of the Soviet political order remain deeply embedded in modern Russian politics, regardless of whether Lenin’s body remains in its mausoleum in Red Square.
While the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia might been triggered by the economy, issues of governance and the need for political reform are at the heart of the demonstrations.
After Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down, a transitional government needs to act to help Egypt move toward a fully democratic system rather than a military regime or a slightly liberalized autocracy.
The gap between Egyptian society, particularly the younger element, and the government has been widening over the past several years and has greatly contributed to the current protests in Egypt.
While the scale of the protests in Yemen has so far remained modest in comparison to those in Egypt and Tunisia, the impact for a country already on the brink of failure could be significant.
In order to secure a successful political transition, Egypt should establish a national security council to guarantee the military's role in providing stability and implement a proportional electoral system to ensure political and legislative pluralism.
Mubarak’s continued unwillingness to acknowledge his complicity in the recent violence sharply undermines his ability to play a role in a peaceful transition toward democracy.
As demonstrators continue calls for President Hosni Mubarak's immediate resignation, the United States faces diplomatic challenges in its relationship with Egypt.
The growing gap between Egypt’s extremely young population and the Mubarak regime, combined with the regime’s inability to recognize that gap, helped catalyze the unrest in Egypt.
The United States should not allow apprehensions about a democratic Egypt’s potential foreign policy to hinder its support for free and fair elections.