As civil unrest continues to balloon out of control in Egypt, Emory professors weigh in on the implications of the demonstrations, U.S. involvement in the conflict and hopes for Egypt's future.
Dissenters against Hosni Mubarak's presidency have been staging demonstrations in the streets of major Egyptian cities and urging Mubarak to step down. Supporters of Mubarak's regime are retaliating, fueling the conflict and increasing tensions. The government has cut off access to Facebook and Twitter, as well as some phone service, in an effort to keep protestors from rioting.
"Egypt is the heart of the Arab world, and it is an enabler for other countries, for American policy and for the policy of the countries of the Middle East," said Kenneth Stein, Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History and Israeli Studies. "Its geography makes it critically central. Don't forget about geography."
Professors said they believe the United States' role — or what it should be — is to help settle the conflict without overstepping. Richard Martin, a professor of religion and former president of the American Research Center in Egypt, explained that the U.S. government "seems to be wanting to, and indeed probably having to, play both sides and not alienating themselves from either side."
Stein said he is in favor of "letting Egyptians decide on content and pace of the change." He added that he condemns the idea of exerting an imperialist influence on Egypt.
"It's not up to the U.S. to cheerlead or oppose decisions made by the government in Egypt. This is not a football game, where the referee makes a decision," Stein said. "We are a great power that promotes values. We should ask countries of the world where we have alliances to consider very seriously incorporating parts of freedoms where the individual's rights are enhanced and protected. We can't expect [Egypt] to have a republic like the one we have."
According to Chair of the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies Gordon Newby, the United States has had long-standing involvement with the Egyptian military.
"We have been, to the tune of billions of dollars, supporting Mubarak's regime [by funding] military aid," Newby said. "We didn't instigate this, and it's beyond our control."
Professors also expressed concern regarding potential successors to Mubarak.
"Looking over the past 30 years, you can't see any great vision or idea he has had, except to stay in power," Newby said, pointing to the successful uprisings in Tunisia as "the most recent spark" that has inspired Egyptians to rebel. "Egyptians said it happened there; it can happen here."
Newby said that though he thinks it would be best for Mubarak to step down, he worries about the possible adverse consequences that could arise as a result of this action.
"The newly designated vice president is somebody who has been implicated with imprisoning people, torture, and real repression. That person wouldn't be a positive change," Newby said.
Ideally, Newby noted, the Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, people from the opposition group or a representative from the Muslim Brotherhood could serve as an interim leader until there can be elections.
If elections were held now, Newby added, the results would not represent of all of the Egyptian people.
Martin said he is concerned with the economic impact of the uprising, particularly in the tourism sector, which he said is rumored to have suffered a setback in the billions.
"I would like to see order restored and for Egyptians to finally have a democratic society," Martin said. "Children need to get back to school, and people need to get back to work."
Stein expressed his concern regarding the civil unrest because he emphasized that the situation could either be revolutionary or cyclical.
"Merely changing the person at the top does not automatically put more food on more people's tables," Stein said. "I hope that the Egyptians will turn this into a transformation, but it's up to the Egyptians."
Martin echoed Stein's sentiment by noting that the nature of the struggle makes it a "drawn-out process" with an unpredictable ending.
"Turn on your television set and be concerned," Martin said. "This is going to affect your future."