There was something Orwellian about the news on Friday. On its website, The New York Times proclaimed, “Mubarak Steps Down, Military Takes Over,” and just below that, “Crowds Cheer, ‘We Are Free.’”
Obviously, there’s a culture gap here.
It’s hard to imagine an American military takeover hailed as “freedom.” In fact, we tend to view the two as opposites.
But Egyptians, at least those stepping up to be interviewed, seem fairly comfortable with the arrangement. And during 18 days of massive protests, the military may have earned some measure of trust.
During 24/7 media coverage, the military’s presence in Tahrir Square appeared relatively passive. They formed a barrier between rival protest factions, staying neutral even when the two sides began fighting. Demonstrators were regularly shown sleeping under tanks or riding them around throughout the day.
But last Wednesday, The Guardian ran an article alleging “hundreds and possibly thousands” of secret arrests by the military. According to their sources, pro-democracy protesters were disappearing throughout the movement, and a number of victims have come forward claiming vicious abuse.
If all true, these claims could simply show that, in a chaotic environment, sometimes people will do bad things. In three tumultuous weeks, with hundreds of thousands in the streets every day, it’d be surprising if no soldier had gotten carried away.
But the interviews paint a picture of coordinated military intimidation. Along with prominent government critics, ordinary people were detained while taking supplies to protest centers.
Since former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation, Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has disbanded parliament and suspended the constitution. If the Egyptian military is kidnapping and torturing citizens, things in Egypt could be even worse without Mubarak.
And that would be a great loss for democracy, internationally. Egypt’s peaceful revolution has brought hope to the oppressed throughout the region. The last week has seen popular movements in Bahrain, Yemen and Iran, where ordinary people called out their own dictators.
Even President Barack Obama’s coldly realist administration seems to have found some inspiration, as it struggles to get back on the right side of history. Yes, opposing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in our own best interest. But at least we’re supporting democracy.
Which is good, because future protesters will need all the support they can get. Egyptians tossed Mubarak without violence; the next round of dictators probably won’t go so easily. The streets of Bahrain and Tehran are already filling up with tear gas, while Yemeni police get to work with batons.
Even Tunisians, whose incredible grassroots revolution helped spark Egypt’s, have a long way to go. Since unseating former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, they’ve suffered debilitating social and economic unrest. On Monday, the interim government deployed troops at the borders to stop a mass exodus of Tunisians to nearby Italy.
In this climate, a stable, democratic Egypt could make all the difference. The Supreme Council has set itself a 10-day deadline for constitutional reform, and a 6-month deadline for transition to full democracy. The clock started February 15; let’s hope they make it.
Reach John at john.a.gaylord@asu.edu
