Complicated, Complicated Egypt

After a lot of initial prevarication, and no small amount of what some might call pusillanimous pussyfooting, the US supported the people of the Arab world in deposing those who it previously considered to be allies, all in the interest of democracy. Possibly the most notable example of this scenario was provided by Egypt where Hosni Mubarak, a friend of the US, was deposed following the popular protests of the Arab Spring early last year.

It is plain that the delays in getting behind revolutionary causes were the result of the fact that 'democratic revolution' was shorthand for replacing those friendly to US interests with the type of people the US has been in a semi-declared war with for the better part of a decade.

The US has, of course, painted itself into a bit of a corner when it comes democracy in heavily Islamic nations. It is tough to make grandiose claims about democracy and then not support democratic efforts at a very grass roots level, especially now that social media exists (doing so in the past was slightly less problematic of course). This is, not paradoxically in fact even if it might seem so on its face, even the case when self-determination leads to a government which restricts freedom under Islamic rule.

In short, the US chose democracy (particularly after it was clear that the people's efforts were unstoppable) even though it meant losing an allies and the rise of Islam and Islamic law. And that scenario certainly played out in Egypt (and elsewhere), as the Muslim Brotherhood took power in democratic elections following the fall of Mubarak.

However, that democracy already seems to be dying, with the Muslim Brotherhood firmly entrenching itself as both the party of today and the party of the future. I am certainly glad to not be in President Obama or Secretary of State Clinton's shoes on this one...