Time for Democracy in Egypt--Now

The US should fear a continuation of Hosni Mubarak's rule in Egypt more than any regime change.

Aside from proving the truth that dictators bring neither stability nor freedom to the Middle East, Mubarak has been a lousy ally as well, backing the US only when it serves his interests. In return for $1.5 billion, we get air rights over Egypt and free access to the Suez Canal. Gosh, thanks.

In return, the US has propped up Mubarak while he destroys his own people, thwarting democratic opposition and scaring us with the prospect of the Muslim Brotherhood should he fall.

The streets of Cairo today are no different than the entire Arab world. Every country over there could be on fire tomorrow. The US has damaged the entire region with its short-sighted policies and now when their people look at their leaders, they see the US flag. Where's the democracy the US supposedly believes in? Where is the strong advocacy of it?

Many conservatives are confused about who to support. None are more confused than the scribes at National Review, a publication which has fallen precipitously since the exit of William F. Buckley. Their latest editorial: "Mubarak Should Go--But Not Yet"! Stanley Kurtz, writing on that site's blog, uttered the standard insult to those who want democracy over there--"naively optimistic." Sheer comedy.

What is naive is not the belief in democracy in the Middle East, but the belief that propping up dictators who hold none of our values serves our long-term interests in the Middle East, or anywhere else. We have lost the public as well. It is time for the naive scholars and diplomats to be swept aside.

Michael Rubin of Forbes.com, writing at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, is someone who finally gets it right. "The US Should Not Fear Egypt Regime Change" is a commentary all should read, especially those who write for National Review.

At the Heritage Foundation, James Phillips provides some guidelines for the way forward for the US and Egypt.

It is time for the US to not only prod the likes of Mubarak for democratic changes in the Middle East, but demand them. And the sooner the better--starting right now.