Egypt - Arab World and Pakistan

Tabinda Naeem, Urdu VOA News, Washington

This package is an overview of the situation in Egypt and how it is going to impact other countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Brian Katulis of the Center for American Progress says that Egypt has had a relatively open civil society and more complex situation than Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Jordan is a much smaller country where the king can control the situation by only reshuffling his cabinet while Saudi Arabia is a strict police state where government has full control of the situation. Brian Katulis says that any future Egyptian government will have to concentrate more on the economic inequalities of its society which is the major cause of the current upheaval. Bruce Riedel and Wendy Chamberlain, at the Middle East Institute agree that the stakes of United States are higher in Egypt as transit through the Suez Canal and Egyptian air space are vital for America's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, however, Obama Administration cannot directly intervene in the situation, nor can it callously throw aside Hosni Mubarak-an ally of 30 years. Both analysts also say that situation in Egypt is different from Pakistan which held its national elections in 2008 and got a chance to change and elect its top leadership, whereas in Egypt people did not see any change in their top leadership for 30 years, which caused the current unrest. Bruce Riedel says that Pakistani Government despite all of its weaknesses is probably going to be the first democratically elected government, in years, that might complete its 5-year term. He says this although this will be a considerable accomplishment, US should encourage the Pakistani government to try to strengthen the democratic process.

Category:

News & Politics

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• Urdu VOA
• Egypt
• Egypt Revolution
• Tabinda Naeem
• Arab world
• Egypt & Arab world