Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Analysis
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Analysis - Egypt protests leave West in awkward position
Reuters - 2 hours 40 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
By Peter Apps, Political Risk Correspondent
LONDON - As protests escalate in Egypt and elsewhere, Western governments are awkwardly trapped between strategic alliances, their own rhetoric on democracy and rights and domestic political sympathy for those demonstrating.
Police and demonstrators fought running battles in the streets of Cairo on Friday on a fourth day of unprecedented protests by tens of thousands demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's three decades of rule.
Hundreds have been arrested following mass demonstrations inspired by events in nearby Tunisia, where President Ben Ali fled into exile earlier this month after social media-fuelled protests forced him from power.
Yemen's government -- another key U.S. regional ally -- has also faced mounting protests as activists across the Middle East and elsewhere gain inspiration from each other.
Washington and others have long quietly relied on sometimes repressive regional rulers, seeing them as a bulwark against Islamic extremism. Now they face few good options.
"They haven't managed this balancing act very well and now they are caught in the middle," said Rosemary Hollis, professor of Middle East policy studies at London's City University.
"They have maintained this polite fiction that they are in favour of democracy and openness but in reality they have been happy to allow regimes to avoid reforms."
Hollis says the strong performance of Islamists Hamas in 2006 Palestinian elections in the Gaza Strip scared many policymakers and deterred them from pushing for genuine democratic reform elsewhere in the region.
U.S. officials including President Barack Obama have called for restraint, while Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Cairo to engage the Egyptian people about reform and seize the moment is to address aspirations.
British foreign secretary William Hague said Egypt's authorities should not "suppress people's right to freedom of expression," but again seemed keen to held back from taking sides.
If Western capitals voice outright support for the demonstrators as they did during protests in Iran in 2009, they risk alienating old friends and further emboldening those on the streets.
If security forces crack down brutally, Western leaders will fear the accusation of complicity in rights abuses.
But if more leaders are ousted, a tide of unrest could bring Islamist governments to power and hit regional stability.
DIFFICULT CHOICES
"It's going to be very difficult for the U.S. to tack away from Mubarak, even if they're careful not to offer support for a crackdown," said Ian Bremmer, president of political risk consultancy Eurasia Group.
Egypt is also seen as a key ally against Iran, central to limiting weapon-smuggling to Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The Suez Canal remains crucial to Europe's imports of oil and cheap Asian goods.
"The least bad option may be to stick with nurse, for fear of finding something worse -- but at the same time try to nudge in the direction of political and economic reform," said Nigel Inkster, a former Deputy Chief of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service MI6 and now head of transnational threats and political risk at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies.
"Ultimately, the U.S. and European powers can do little more than wait upon events and try to ensure they do not unduly antagonise whoever comes out on the winning side."
Western leaders will also be keeping a careful eye on their own public opinion. News organisations and a growing number of politically active young people watch the Tunisian and Egyptian protests closely on sites such as Twitter, and would be very critical of perceived Western acquiescence in bloodshed.
"Part of the political strategy in events like this has always been about influencing Western public and media opinion and therefore to an extent government policy," said Mark Hanson, a former new media strategist for Britain's Labour Party and London-based social media consultant.
"These protesters are doing that very well."
"UNTOUCHABLE COMPENSATION"
Leaked classified US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks on Friday showed diplomats continuing to press Mubarak and his government towards democratic reform, the reduction of censorship and the easing of a state of emergency.
But they also make it clear U.S. financial aid to Mubarak's government -- particularly to the military who may prove a deciding factor if protests continue to rise -- is a requirement for good relations.
"President Mubarak and military leaders view our military assistance program as a cornerstone of our mil-mil relationship and consider the $1.3 billion in annual FMF as untouchable compensation for making peace with Israel," says a February 2010 cable aimed at briefing US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen for a visit.
Egypt's army could decide Mubarak's fate and act as kingmakers if they choose not to back him, deciding which other political forces -- ranging from the Muslim Brotherhood to former UN nuclear chief-turned-political dissident Mohamed El Baradei or Mubarak's son Gamal -- might gain influence.
Gamal, 47, is seen having allies in government and business as well as in the West but less clout with the army. Both Gamal and his father deny he is being groomed for succession.
"Gamal is the sort of person they love somewhere like Davos," said City University's Hollis, referring to the World Economic Forum of business and political leaders taking place in Switzerland.
"But his last name is Mubarak and that damns him on the streets. It's really the army that will decide. The army elite is very close to Washington but you have to ask how much anti-American -- and anti-Israeli -- sentiment there might be in the lower ranks."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Governor aspirant, six others assassinated in Nigeria AFP - 48 minutes ago
Clashes in Tunisia as new cabinet sworn in AFP - 1 hour 34 minutes ago
Scuffle mars burial of Uganda gay rights activist AFP - Saturday, January 29
Five injured as Tunisian police, protesters clash AFP - Saturday, January 29
DR. Congo former rebel missing in Rwanda: Amnesty AFP - Saturday, January 29
News Search
Top Stories
Mandela goes home after hospital treatment
US growth hits highest level in five years
Ford doubles profit in 2010, disappoints in Q4
US, Britain split on cuts in Davos
Charlie Sheen rushed to hospital after 'wild' party
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Charlie Sheen rushed to hospital after 'wild' party
Mandela goes home after hospital treatment
'Thunder-snow' storm buries US north-east
Rare Sumatran tiger gives birth to three cubs
US financial crisis 'avoidable' says probe
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 29 January 2011 Analysis
Egyptian Internet cutoff 'unprecedented': Renesys
Mubarak orders army to back police against Egypt unrest
US growth hits highest level in five years
Apple launches iPad in India
Jordanian protesters demand political reforms
Ford doubles profit in 2010, disappoints in Q4
Jordanian protesters demand political reforms
|
US-TECH Summary
Egypt shows how easily Internet can be silenced
Bruno Mars beats out Britney to reclaim #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
Egyptians carry dead protester through Suez
Albania opposition calmly honors dead protesters
|
Website invites Russians to say 'Goodbye Putin!'
Iran nuclear plant will be 'ready in April'
Exclusive: The next generation of WikiLeaks
Sixty raped in attacks on Congo villages: U.N.
|
Brazilian kept wife in cellar for 16 years: police
|
Wikileaks spin-off group launches new site
South Korea sink Uzbeks to claim 2015 berth
Prominent Cuban dissident defiant after detentions
|
Top Tibetan monk raided by Indian police
Severe malnutrition after Pakistan floods: UNICEF
Microsoft shares fall; tablet worries abound
War crimes court dismisses Taylor's claims of bias over cables
|
In U.S. courts, Facebook posts become less private
American involved in Pakistan shooting claims self-defence
New START treaty to enter into force Feb 5
India raids "living Buddha" over alleged illegal funds
Young, web savvy fight for Egypt against Mubarak
Medvedev signs law ratifying Russia-U.S. arms pact
Chinese boost prices in world's auction houses
American remanded in Pakistan over double killing
Salzburg's 'Glockenspiel' chimes again
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Charlie Sheen back home, plans return to TV set
US steak, burger lovers face beefier prices
French festival exposes Japan's female manga underground
Transsexual set to take Brazil fashion week by storm
Exclusive: The next generation of WikiLeaks
|
S. Korea rice consumption falls to record low
Wikileaks spin-off group launches new site
|
Sundance film puts spotlight on euthanasia
FCC seeks to dismiss challenges to Internet rules
|
U.S. review of Huawei/3Leaf under way
|
SanDisk shares dive, hit margin, price fears
|
NTT DoCoMo profits rise in nine months
Pakistani stocks end flat; rupee firms; o/n rates down
ADB lends $242 million to Pakistan for power sector
Taiwan due to release full Q4 GDP figures on Feb 17
Hyundai Steel says to add $2.7 bln furnace by 2013
Arizona lawmakers propose another tough illegal immigration law
Showtime salutes Black History Month starting with Bill Withers special
Consumer spending, real gross domestic product rise in last quarter of 2010
Senate Republicans seek end to birthright citizenship
Coachella music festival sells out 2011 tickets in just six days
Ford shares drop after 4Q profit
Sofia Vergara releasing fashion collection for the younger crowd in Kmart
UPDATE 2: U.S. efforts to balance support for popular Cairo protests and fighting terror
Got an Emergency? There is an App for that....
Amazon sells more eBook downloads for Kindle than paperbacks in U.S.
Report: Blunt force trauma cause of Arkansas bird kill
Taco Bell threatens countersuit over beef quality claims
Rep. Kucinich Suing House Cafeteria Over Olive Pit
Lady Gaga's first fragrance to smell like "blood and semen"
Knife-wielding New Yorker holds parents hostage, then surrenders
The fight for Schindlers list
Graduate school instructor charged with faking military credentials, doctorate
Man who became father at 14 to be a grandfather at 29
Michael Jacksons doctor pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge
Auction of suspected JFK assassins casket, burial records sets off lawsuit
Eight killed in suicide attack on Kabul supermarket
Italian judges defend colleagues in Berlusconi sex inquiry
Instant View
WikiLeaks: The Next Generation
Mandela goes home after hospital treatment
LinkedIn eyes $175 million IPO; investors eye finances
Army disperses protesters from Egypt state TV HQ
Egypt's Mubarak sends in army, resists demands to quit
|
Analysts' View
Exclusive: U.S. asks about search fairness in Google/ITA
Suicide bomber kills Kandahar deputy governor
|
Google won't be taken to court over data gather
WikiLeaks founder says enjoys making banks squirm
|
Iran hangs Dutch woman arrested after protests
|
Google updates service tracker amid Egypt shutdown
Nigerian electoral candidate shot in northeast city
|
Japan upgrades travel warning for Egypt
Egypt's Internet shutdown draws fire in US
China's Li Na set for historic Slam final
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
N.Zealand wilt as Pakistan's Hafeez makes century
"Glee" star Lea Michele to sing at Super Bowl
FCC seeks to dismiss challenges to Internet rules
Prominent Cuban dissident hospitalized after arrest
|
Hundreds mourn Hong Kong democracy icon
Sri Lanka leader sued in US
Australia warns against Egypt travel
China's Li hopes for fairytale ending at Aussie Open
Thousands brave Canadian cold to catch tiny ice fish
Twin truck bombings kill four, injure 19 in Pakistan
Hopkins seeks the 'devil' inside, in new film
Akishino visits Costa Rica children's hospital
"The Rite" poised to top weekend box office
Final send-off for Hong Kong democracy icon Szeto
LinkedIn eyes $175 million IPO; investors eye financials
|
WikiLeaks founder says enjoys making banks squirm
|
Bruno Mars to plead guilty to cocaine possession
Exclusive: U.S. asks about search fairness in Google/ITA
|
Demi Lovato out of rehab, return to TV show uncertain
Britney Spears album confirmed for March 15 release
Royal wedding grips U.S. TV, but who to play Kate?
WikiLeaks: The Next Generation
|
"Glee" star Lea Michele to sing at Super Bowl
Charlie Sheen back in rehab, TV show on hold
|
Bruno Mars to plead guilty to cocaine possession
|
Demi Lovato out of rehab, return to TV show uncertain
|
Britney Spears album confirmed for March 15 release
|
Royal wedding grips U.S. TV, but who to play Kate?
|
The Rite poised to top weekend box office
|
American Idol's David Archuleta on the new season
|
Glee star Lea Michele to sing at Super Bowl
|
YouTube unveils Life in a Day film at Sundance
|
Egypt in revolt as Mubarak stands fast
Moscow airport bomber 'targeted foreigners': Russia
Factbox
China micro-blogging sites censor 'Egypt'
France says troubled euro has 'turned the corner'
Afghan suicide bomber kills Kandahar deputy governor
Flu epidemic shuts all Moscow schools
Egyptians defy curfew to call for Mubarak to go
|
Iraq water shortages raising ethnic tensions
Iran hangs Iranian-Dutch woman for drug smuggling
Russia says Moscow airport bomber from North Caucasus
|
Deputy governor killed in Afghanistan
Iran briefly detains son of opposition leader: report
|
Rwanda grenade attack kills two people, wounds 28
|
Prominent Afghan family died in grocery bombing
Mourners, Israel troops clash after West Bank funeral
|
Bomber kills deputy governor in south Afghanistan
Pakistan says law must take its course in U.S. diplomat case
|
Afghan officials: Kandahar deputy governor killed
Central African Republic candidates say poll rigged
|
India brings private eye to US film festival
China to double imports by 2015 to balance trade
Coming polls promise to be fun
COMMENTARY: The Chinay Tiger Mother
UN's food agency urges vigilance vs foot-and-mouth disease in Asia
Rail good trip home for CNY
Sexual prey in the Saudi jungle
Japan minister eyes sales tax hike around 2015
Death toll in Indonesian ferry fire soars to 11
Pakistan leaves policy rate unchanged at 14 pct
India Maruti's profit falls on rising costs
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights