Hosni Mubarak is Out; Now What?

Three weeks ago, we saw some large and, at times, violent protests in Egypt, centering out of Cairo's Tahrir Square. Today, Hosni Mubarak called it quits, resigning his position as "president." After watching events the past week, events which have been changing by the moment, this change was inevitable. In Egypt, the military is quite strong, (American built and trained) influential and highly regarded, and the fact that they did not go "Tiananmen Square" on their own people brought about this change.

The military will now lead the "peaceful transfer of power." Now comes the hard part.

When we look back in history at various revolutions, it's the "third government" that becomes the problem. For example, in France, after the Bourbon Dynasty was overthrown, the Jacobins and Robespierre took power in/from the newly formed French Government; in Russia after the Romanov Dynasty was overthrown, Lenin and the Bolsheviks took power from the Provisional Government led by Alexander Kerensky; and in Iran after the Shah was overthrown, Ayatollah Khomeini tossed out the head of the provisional government, Mehdi Bazargran.

Following the steps of history, Egyptians, including the Egyptian Copts, Israel and the United States should be very, very concerned with the Muslim Brotherhood having any role in a the new Egyptian Government, as their recent rhetoric, history and the preferences of some in Egypt, is very troubling and could lead this country of 80 million people, with a 1 million man, American built and trained military, down a really scary road.

We do not yet know what will happen, but the military will be key for keeping control and facilitating a peaceful transition, and President Obama/the United States must be consistent in its handling of the situation, while making it clear the Muslim Brotherhood is not to take power in a new Egypt. It could all work out; or it could lead to the Domino Affect of the 21st century, Barack Obama having a Jimmy Carter moment, or Israel having her back pushed against the wall against an increasingly hostile Arab region.

It is a tenuous situation which "The 'Right' Solutions" hopes the United States watches very closely, and does not let the new Egypt become the next Iran.